Coopers Office
March 2, 2016
The Executive Board was called to order at 9:32 a.m. President Thomas was in the Chair. All members were present except Sean Platt and Felicia Fahey, the reasons were acceptable to the Chair. Peggy Maybury, Executive Assistant to the President, was also in attendance.
Agenda
The agenda was amended to add:
- AGCO Negotiations Procedures
- Recommendation from Officers L319, L317
- Timed presentation: 2016 Young Workers Conference
- OFL Make it Fair
- Convention delegates
The question was called on the Agenda as amended:
Roll Call #1
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Consent Agenda
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of January 27-28, 2016 and February 26, 2016 E-Poll Stopping the privatization of Canada’s blood supply were adopted.
Stopping the privatization of Canada’s blood supply
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
Be it resolved that OPSEU support the proposal for web site development and a lobby day on Parliament Hill, with funds to be drawn from the Contingency Fund.
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia for
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean for
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie —
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 19 for 0 against
Business Arising
RPN Occupational Division Proposal
Moved by Arvelin/Thomas
WHEREAS the Health Care Divisional Council is proposing the creation of a Registered Practical Nurses occupational division; and,
WHEREAS the proposal has merits and warrants further review,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Executive Board adopt the RPN proposal and that the funds be drawn from the Contingency Fund.
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida in the Chair
Roll Call #2
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
President Thomas in the Chair
Section 13.2 Policy Manual
Under review, will come back as part of the motion under President’s Report regarding review of all Section 13 (page 20).
Treasurer’s Report
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida presented the Treasurer’s Report, which addressed the following items:
- Financials
- Contingency Fund
- Defence Fund
- ODSP Fund – OPS Job Protection Fund
- ODSP Fund – MERC Action Plan
- ODSP Fund – OPS Redeployment Fund
- LBED – Anti-privatization Fund
- Summary Report
- Retiree Committee Chairs – Expenses for Monthly Incidentals
Moved by Almeida/Thomas
WHEREAS there is currently no policy outlining expenses for chairs of the Retiree Division; and
WHEREAS there has been a long standing practice of allowing each Retiree chair to claim $40.00 per month for incidentals in regards their duties;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Accounting have a code line, allocating $40.00 per month, per Retiree Committee chair for incidentals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT each Retiree Committee chair include receipts and/or an explanation for such incidentals on their expense claims.
An amendment was made and withdrawn
The question was called on the motion:
Roll Call #3
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
President’s Report
Internal Issues
- Board Committee election – Pension Liaison
- 2016 OPSEU Convention Agenda
- Stanley Knowles Award
- 2016 Convention Resolution
- Organizational Chart
- NUPGE Convention Resolutions
- Community Services Divisional Council Bargaining Conference
- Terms of Reference: Workers of Colour Caucus
- Mental Health Division Anti-Violence Campaign
- Section 13 of Policy Manual
- AGCO Negotiations Procedures
- Recommendation from Officers L319, L317
- Convention delegates
Staffing Issues – In Camera
Central Labour Updates (OFL/NUPGE/CLC)
- OFL Make it Fair
Internal Issues
Board Committee election – Pension Liaison Committee
The following Executive Board Members were nominated and indicated their willingness to stand for election; Len Elliott, Gareth Jones, Edie Strachan.
Ballots were distributed, collected and counted. President Thomas announced the election of Len Elliott and Gareth Jones to the Pension Liaison Committee.
Stanley Knowles Award
Discussion
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida in the Chair
Education Policy
Moved by Arbus/Tremblay
Whereas OPSEU's Education Policy provides the foundation, structure, and framework of member education, Local and Sector development, and developing capacity, and
Whereas the Education Policy was drafted many years ago, and has seen few significant changes in recent years, and
Whereas the structure of member education has changed over the years, for example, the advent of courses running mid-week as opposed to the weekend, and the development of service area schools, and the introduction of smart tv's in members centres, and
Whereas the Education Policy is in need of upgrading to reflect current and future trends,
Therefore Be it Resolved that the Board set up an ad-hoc Sub-Committee to review the Education Policy, with the objective of modernizing that Policy, and
Be it further resolved that this sub-committee bring a preliminary report to the June Board Meeting, with a final report for the September meeting, and
Be it further resolved that this sub-committee include one Regional Vice-President, two Executive Board Members, the Supervisor of the Education department, and staff as assigned by that Supervisor.
RVP Debbie Tungatt in Chair
Moved by Almeida/Tungatt – Amendment:
In the last resolve remove “2 exec board members” and replace with “3 regional vice presidents or designee and replace “and staff” with “and a staff member”
Roll Call #4
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel against
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth against
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 15 for 3 against
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida in the Chair
Moved by Magner/Strachan – Amendment:
In last resolve add “and 2 member co-facilitator and 2 local officers”
Roll Call #5
Almeida, Eddy against
Arbus, Jeff against
Archer, Glen against
Arvelin, Ed against
Bisaillon, Michel against
Bozai, Ibrahim against
Elliott, Len against
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew against
Jones, Gareth against
Labelle, Sara against
Longhi, Gord against
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl against
Thomas, Warren against
Tremblay, Chrisy against
Tungatt, Debbie against
DEFEATED 1 for 17 against
The question was called on the motion as amended:
Whereas OPSEU's Education Policy provides the foundation, structure, and framework of member education, Local and Sector development, and developing capacity, and
Whereas the Education Policy was drafted many years ago, and has seen few significant changes in recent years, and
Whereas the structure of member education has changed over the years, for example, the advent of courses running mid-week as opposed to the weekend, and the development of service area schools, and the introduction of smart tv's in members centres, and
Whereas the Education Policy is in need of upgrading to reflect current and future trends,
Therefore Be it Resolved that the Board set up an ad-hoc Sub-Committee to review the Education Policy, with the objective of modernizing that Policy, and
Be it further resolved that this sub-committee bring a preliminary report to the June Board Meeting, with a final report for the September meeting, and
Be it further resolved that this sub-committee include 3 regional vice presidents or designees, the Supervisor of the Education department and a staff member as assigned by that Supervisor.
Roll Call #6
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len against
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew against
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles against
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren —
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie against
Carried 11 for 6 against
President Thomas in the Chair
New Business
2016 Young Workers Conference
Ken Maclam and Adrian Balojin gave a presentation to the Board
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPSEU Executive Board waive the 30-day notice for expenditures in excess of $20,000.
Roll Call #7
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
A motion was made and ruled out of order
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
WHEREAS over 140 young workers (75% first time attendees) from across the province were invited to attend the 2015 Young Workers Conference; and
WHEREAS 84% of young workers in attendance indicated that the Young Workers Conference motivated them to return to their local communities and serve as activists and labour leaders; and
WHEREAS young worker issues are incredibly important to the future of the labour movement and this conference is an invaluable opportunity to discuss, explore and develop the necessary skills to overcome the barriers that young workers face.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT up to $63,000 be added to the existing Young Workers Conference budget line for a new total of up to $163,000, with the additional funds to come from the Contingency Fund.
Roll Call #8
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
2016 OPSEU Convention Agenda
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
Therefore be it resolved that the Executive Board approve the 2016 OPSEU Convention Agenda as amended
Roll Call #9
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
NUPGE Resolutions
Spreading the “We Own It!” anti-privatization campaign across Canada
Moved by Thomas/Tungatt
WHEREAS across Canada we are seeing an explosion in the privatization of public services, and a proliferation of the forms privatization takes, including contracting-out, public-private partnerships, asset sales and Social Impact Bonds; and
WHEREAS privatization constitutes a transfer of wealth from the public realm to private hands, a regressive action that does nothing to improve services and wastes public dollars; and
WHEREAS privatization affects all Canadians by undermining public accountability, eliminating transparency, reducing access to services, and dramatically increasing costs; and
WHEREAS privatization is to the public sector what free trade is to the private sector, namely, a destroyer of good jobs and decent wages; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Public Service Employees Union has just launched “We Own It!”, a long-term campaign to stop the privatization rip-off;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NUPGE adopt the “We Own It!,” branding, customized by province and coordinated by NUPGE component unions, for a Canada-wide campaign to build a truly national opposition to privatization.
Roll Call #10
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len —
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara —
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 16 for 0 against
Keeping Canada’s blood supply safe
Moved by Thomas/Tungatt
WHEREAS the tainted blood crisis of the 1980s and 1990s was the worst public health disaster in Canada’s history, in which thousands of Canadians lost their lives from blood transfusions and blood products infected with HIV and Hepatitis C; and
WHEREAS private paid-donor blood collection clinics are contrary to the recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada, which explicitly concluded that in Canada, blood is a public resource; donors should not be paid; and, safety of the blood system must be paramount; and
WHEREAS a coalition of tainted-blood survivors and safe-blood advocates succeeded in shutting down for-profit paid-donor clinics opened in Ontario by lobbying the Ontario government to pass the Voluntary Donations Act to ban paid-donor clinics; and
WHEREAS Health Canada has granted a license to Exapharma (Canadian Plasma Resources) to open a paid-donor clinic in Saskatchewan, and the same company is actively looking to open more clinics in Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia; and
WHEREAS Bloodwatch.org, a new coalition of tainted blood survivors and safe-blood advocates is calling on the federal government to legislate an all-out ban on privatized blood collection in Canada; and
WHEREAS this is a national issue not only for the safety of all Canadians, but also for the jobs of blood services workers whose jobs will be put at risk if blood/plasma collection is privatized;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the National Union and all component unions educate their members on the threat posed by for-profit paid-donor blood collection in Canada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all components commit to providing financial support to Bloodwatch.org to further its work across the country; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Union make an immediate contribution to Bloodwatch.org of $10,000.
Roll Call #11
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len —
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara —
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 16 for 0 against
Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
Moved by Thomas/Tungatt
WHEREAS the Government of Canada will launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; and
WHEREAS the Government states it is committed to reconciliation and a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada; and
WHEREAS the Native Women’s Association of Canada was one of the first organizations to advocate for an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and is well positioned to monitor the scope of the investigation and the implementation of its recommendations; and
WHEREAS the inquiry needs to expose the root causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls; and
WHEREAS the inquiry must engage people from across the country as an important, first step; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Union call on all components to cover wages and travel expenses for their members to give testimony or support a family member involved in the national inquiry; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all components work with their Indigenous members to monitor the process of the inquiry and provide recommendations to the National Union to hold the government accountable to its commitment to reconciliation and a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Union donate $5,000 to the Sisters in Spirit initiative of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Roll Call #12
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len —
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara —
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 16 for 0 against
Bringing proportional representation to Canada’s Parliament
Moved by Thomas/Tungatt
WHEREAS government policies and decisions should reflect the will of the majority while respecting the rights of minorities: and
WHEREAS an electoral system that is seen to be fair by a majority of citizens will encourage voter participation, while an electoral system that is seen to be unfair fosters disrespect for government and the laws that it makes; and
WHEREAS a parliamentary electoral system that routinely awards majority governments to political parties that capture less than 50 per cent of the vote is blatantly unfair and goes against the principle of majority rule; and
WHEREAS the current Liberal government won 39.5 per cent of the popular vote but 54 per cent of the seats in the House of Commons; and
WHEREAS the Liberal Party of Canada said it would consider a ranked ballot electoral system as a possible replacement to the existing first-past-the-post system; and
WHEREAS such a system would distort the allocation of seats in the House of Commons even worse than first-past-the-post does; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NUPGE call on the Liberal government to reject the ranked ballot system as a possible replacement to the current electoral system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NUPGE and its components educate members and the general public about the flaws in the first-past-the-post and preferential ballot systems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NUPGE and its components call on the federal government to pass legislation before the next election that changes Canada’s electoral system so that seats in the House of Commons are allocated to the political parties to reflect the percentage of the popular vote that each party received in the election; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NUPGE and its constituent organizations support and work with citizen groups promoting the adoption of such a proportionately representative system.
Roll Call #13
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len —
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara —
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 16 for 0 against
Community Services Divisional Council Bargaining Conference
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPSEU Executive Board waive the 30-day notice for expenditures in excess of $20,000.
Roll Call #14
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
(continued on page 20)
Terms of Reference: Workers of Color Caucus
Move by Thibodeau/Archer – Referral to the President’s office to return back to the May 2016 Executive Board meeting.
Roll Call #15
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida in the Chair
Mental Health Anti-Violent Campaign
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPSEU Executive Board waive the 30-day notice for expenditures in excess of $20,000.
Roll Call #16
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Moved by Thomas/Arvelin
WHEREAS the Mental Health Division has been working to raise awareness about the violence members of our division experience at work; and
WHEREAS the violence is significant enough that we have taken three hospitals to the OLRB recently; and
WHEREAS the Health and Safety Unit is creating a toolkit for our members to use to identify workplace violence, assess the risk of workplace violence, report workplace violence, and work with the employer to prevent workplace violence; and
WHEREAS the members of the Mental Health Division require mobilizing and training in order to recognize workplace violence and to use this toolkit effectively to challenge and prevent it;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPSEU Executive Board approve the Mental Health Division’s Anti-Violence Campaign as proposed at a total amount of $91,931. This amount is to be drawn from the Contingency Fund.
Roll Call #17
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
President Thomas in the Chair
Moved by Thomas/Almeida – In Camera
Roll Call #18
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Afternoon
The meeting resumed at 1:30p.m.
Rise & Report
Community Services Divisional Council (continued from page 17)
Moved by Almeida/Arvelin – Referral to the President’s office to be brought back to the May 2016 Executive Board meeting
Roll Call #19
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Section 13 of the Policy Manual
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
WHEREAS Section 13 of the OPSEU Policy Manual has not been reviewed in some time; and
WHEREAS some parts of Section 13 go back forty three years; and
WHEREAS some of these sections no longer reflect the staff collective agreement requirements or practice of the Union
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT an “Under Revision” stamp be affixed to this Section with revisions brought back to the Executive Board in June 2016.
Roll Call #20
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Organizational Chart
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
WHEREAS the organization chart was recently updated to reflect a re-organization; and
WHEREAS some of the resulting moves from the re-organization have not been reflected on the organization chart as they happened after;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the attached organization chart be approved as final by the Executive Board.
Roll Call #21
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Central Labour Updates (OFL/NUPGE/CLC)
President Thomas provided an update
Campaign for Labour Law Reform
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OPSEU Executive Board waive the 30-day notice for expenditures in excess of $20,000.
Roll Call #22
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Moved by Thomas/Magner
WHEREAS the Government of Ontario has launched the Changing Workplaces Review to consult with Ontarians and recommend changes to the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA) and Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA); and
WHEREAS the review panel is expected to provide its findings and recommendations in a series of reports to be released between early April and September 2016; and
WHEREAS the government is expected to introduce legislation to amend the OLRA and ESA in the fall of 2016; and
WHEREAS OPSEU has long advocated for important reforms to the ESA to strengthen the workplace rights and minimum employment standards – and their enforcement – for all workers in Ontario, including contract, part-time, casual, precarious and low-wage workers; and
WHEREAS OPSEU has consistently advocated for key changes to the OLRA – including restoring card-check certification, providing access to first contract arbitration, banning scab labour and strengthening successor rights – to make it easier for workers to organize and bargain fair wages and working conditions; and
WHEREAS the Changing Workplaces Review and the government’s plan to amend the OLRA and ESA represents a historic opportunity to achieve fairness for all Ontario workers and advance the fight for good jobs; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Federation of Labour has invited affiliates and other major unions, including OPSEU, to participate in a major provincewide Campaign for Labour Law Reform to
i) achieve key improvements to the OLRA and ESA, in partnership with our labour and community allies, and ii) to counter pressure from employers to weaken workers’ rights and protections under these acts;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU endorses and will participate in the Campaign for Labour Law Reform together with the OFL and its affiliates and other participating unions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will encourage locals, area councils, sectors, divisions and equity committees and caucuses to endorse and participate in the campaign their areas, together with their local labour councils and labour and community allies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will contribute $50,000 to help fund the OFL-sponsored Campaign for Labour Law Reform.
Moved by Almeida/Arbus – Amendment:
Delete first and second resolve, change funds amount in last resolve to $10,000 and indicate that the funds to come from Contingency fund.
Moved by Magner/Bozai – Amendment to amendment:
divide the 3 resolves
Roll Call #23
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen against
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel against
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 15 for 3 against
Moved by Thomas/Almeida – Amendment to First Resolve
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will campaign for Labour Law reform and will join with other like-minded groups.
RVP Tungatt in the Chair
Roll Call #24
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim against
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles against
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 16 for 2 against
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida in the Chair
Moved by Thomas/Almeida – Amendment to Second Resolve:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will encourage locals, area councils, sectors, divisions and equity committees and caucuses to endorse and participate in the campaign in their areas, together with their labour councils and community allies
Roll Call #25
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Moved by Thomoas/Almeida – Amendment to Third Resolve:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will contribute $10,000 to the OFL campaign for Labour Law Reform
Moved by Shearer/Thomas – Amendment to Amendment:
Change “OFL” to “community allies”
Roll Call #26
Almeida, Eddy against
Arbus, Jeff against
Archer, Glen against
Arvelin, Ed against
Bisaillon, Michel against
Bozai, Ibrahim against
Elliott, Len against
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew against
Jones, Gareth against
Labelle, Sara against
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles against
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl against
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy against
Tungatt, Debbie against
DEFEATED 2 for 16 against
Moved by Archer/Arvelin – Amendment to amendment:
After “OPSEU” insert “with endorsement of the 2016 OPSEU Convention”
Move to Object Consideration:
Roll Call #27
Almeida, Eddy against
Arbus, Jeff against
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim against
Elliott, Len against
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew against
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara against
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles against
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl against
Thomas, Warren against
Tremblay, Chrisy against
Tungatt, Debbie for
6 for 12 against – The amendment to amendment was considered
Question was called on the amendment to amendment:
After “OPSEU” add “with endorsement of the 2016 OPSEU Convention”
Moved by Labelle/Arbus – Closure
Roll Call #28
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren against
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 17 for 1 against
Question called on amendment to amendment:
After “OPSEU” add “with endorsement of the 2016 OPSEU Convention”
Roll Call #29
Almeida, Eddy against
Arbus, Jeff against
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim against
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth against
Labelle, Sara against
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles against
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl against
Thomas, Warren against
Tremblay, Chrisy against
Tungatt, Debbie for
DEFEATED 7 for 11 against
The question was called on the amendment to Third Resolve:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will contribute $10,000 to the OFL campaign for Labour Law Reform
Roll Call #30
Almeida, Eddy against
Arbus, Jeff against
Archer, Glen against
Arvelin, Ed against
Bisaillon, Michel against
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len against
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew against
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara against
Longhi, Gord against
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl against
Thomas, Warren against
Tremblay, Chrisy against
Tungatt, Debbie against
DEFEATED 4 for 14 against
Moved by Thomas/Arbus – Amendment:
The third resolve be amended to read “each region will have $3,000 to enable participation in the campaign for Labour Law Reform” and the last whereas be deleted.
Moved by Archer/Arvelin – Closure
Roll Call #31
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
The question was called on the amendment:
Roll Call #32
Almeida, Eddy against
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen against
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel against
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len against
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew against
Jones, Gareth against
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord against
Magner, Myles against
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip against
Strachan, Edie against
Thibodeau, Carl against
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy against
Tungatt, Debbie against
DEFEATED 5 for 13 against
Moved by Tungatt/Magner – Amendment:
Delete fourth whereas and delete third resolve
Moved by Thomas/Almeida – Closure
Roll Call #33
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
The question was called on the amendment:
Roll Call #34
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Moved by Thomas/Arbus – Closure
Roll Call #35
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
The question was called on the motion as amended:
WHEREAS the Government of Ontario has launched the Changing Workplaces Review to consult with Ontarians and recommend changes to the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA) and Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA); and
WHEREAS the review panel is expected to provide its findings and recommendations in a series of reports to be released between early April and September 2016; and
WHEREAS the government is expected to introduce legislation to amend the OLRA and ESA in the fall of 2016; and
WHEREAS OPSEU has long advocated for important reforms to the ESA to strengthen the workplace rights and minimum employment standards – and their enforcement – for all workers in Ontario, including contract, part-time, casual, precarious and low-wage workers; and
WHEREAS OPSEU has consistently advocated for key changes to the OLRA – including restoring card-check certification, providing access to first contract arbitration, banning scab labour and strengthening successor rights – to make it easier for workers to organize and bargain fair wages and working conditions; and
WHEREAS the Changing Workplaces Review and the government’s plan to amend the OLRA and ESA represents a historic opportunity to achieve fairness for all Ontario workers and advance the fight for good jobs; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will campaign for Labour Law reform and will join with other like-minded groups; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT OPSEU will encourage locals, area councils, sectors, divisions and equity committees and caucuses to endorse and participate in the campaign in their areas, together with their labour councils and community allies.
Roll Call #36
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
President’s Report
Internal Issues
President Thomas in the Chair
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario – Bargaining Procedures
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
WHEREAS negotiations procedures must be approved by the Executive Board; and,
WHEREAS the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) members have been consulted on the changes in their negotiations procedures and have indicated their support through motions passed at the meeting held in September 2014;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the AGCO Procedures are approved by the Executive Board.
Roll Call #37
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Recommendation from the February 25th, 2016 Executive Committee meeting:
Transfer Parry Sound members in Local 319 to Local 317
Whereas the MPAC members who worked in Parry Sound previously were transferred to the Bracebridge office, and;
Whereas there is an existing Local with MPAC members in Bracebridge, and;
Be it resolved that the Executive Board approve that the 9 members who worked in Parry Sound be transferred from Local 319 to Local 317
Roll Call #38
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
2016 OPSEU Convention Resolution
Closing the Gender Wage Gap
WHEREAS OPSEU represents over 130,000 Ontario workers, of whom two-thirds are women; and
WHEREAS women in Ontario earn, on average, 31.5 per cent less per year than their male counterparts; and
WHEREAS this disparity is greater among racialized women (36 per cent), aboriginal women (42 per cent), and women with disabilities (44 per cent); and
WHEREAS there is a gender wage gap whether it is measured by the year, the week, or the hour; and
WHEREAS in spite of the beneficial effects of union membership, many OPSEU women continue to face systemic wage discrimination, particularly in the Broader Public Service, and
WHEREAS OPSEU supports and endorses the provincial government’s intention to address wage discrimination through its Gender Wage Gap initiative; and
WHEREAS the Equal Pay Coalition, of which OPSEU is a member, has identified 12 steps the government must take in order to end the gender wage gap by 2025;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that OPSEU endorse the Coalition’s plan and call on the government to:
- treat closing the gap as a human rights priority;
- raise awareness of the gender wage gap through annual Equal Pay Days and education;
- develop the “Close the gender pay gap by 2025 Plan”;
- enforce and expand pay equity laws;
- implement employment equity laws and policies;
- promote access to collective bargaining;
- increase the minimum wage;
- provide affordable and accessible child care;
- mainstream equity compliance into government laws and policies;
- mainstream equity compliance into workplaces and businesses;
- end violence and harassment of women; and
- secure decent work for women across the economic spectrum.
Roll Call #39
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth for
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 18 for 0 against
Recess
The Executive Board recessed at 4:55 p.m. All members were present except Felicia Fahey and Sean Platt.
March 3, 2016
The Executive Board was called to order at 9:00 a.m. President Thomas was in the Chair. All members were present except Felicia Fahey, Gareth Jones and Sean Platt, the reasons were acceptable to the Chair.
President’s Report
Internal Issues
Convention Delegates
Moved by Tungatt/Elliott
Therefore be it resolved that we extend the 2016 OPSEU Convention cut-off date for submitting elected convention delegates, alternates and observers to March 25th and,
Be it further resolved that we allow delegate nominations/voting to be done via ballot boxes with instruction to go out to local presidents from the President’s office.
Roll Call #40
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth —
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 17 for 0 against
Committee Reports
Standing Committee Reports:
- Aboriginal Circle
- Audit
- Central Political Action
Broadbent
Moved Labelle/ Longhi
Be it resolved that the Executive Board approve up to $51,356 to cover expenses and registration for 2 members per region to attend the Ed Broadbent Progress Summit in Ottawa from Mar 31 to April 2, 2016 with funds to be drawn from the existing CPAC budget line.
Roll Call #41
Almeida, Eddy for
Arbus, Jeff for
Archer, Glen for
Arvelin, Ed for
Bisaillon, Michel for
Bozai, Ibrahim for
Elliott, Len for
Fahey, Felicia —
Finucane, Drew for
Jones, Gareth —
Labelle, Sara for
Longhi, Gord for
Magner, Myles for
Platt, Sean —
Shearer, Philip for
Strachan, Edie for
Thibodeau, Carl for
Thomas, Warren for
Tremblay, Chrisy for
Tungatt, Debbie for
Carried 17 for 0 against
- Convention
- Resolutions
- Constitutional
- Credentials (reports at Convention)
- Planning
- Disability Rights Caucus
- Excluded Staff Hiring
- Francophone
- In Solidarity
- OPSEU Resource/Enterprises
- Pension Liaison
- PHRC
- PWC
- PYC
- Rainbow Alliance
- Retirees Board
- Social Mapping
- Solidarity Fund Board
- Live and Let Live
- International Humanity Work
- International Solidarity Work
A motion was made and ruled out of order
- Staff Negotiating
- Staff Pension Plan Trustees
- Strategic Planning
An update was provided on all Committees.
Adjournment
The Executive Board adjourned at 10:30 a.m. All members were present except Felicia Fahey, Gareth Jones and Sean Platt.
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Nicole Glass, A/Corporate Secretary