As President and First Vice-President of OPSEU/SEFPO, we want to clearly affirm our shared commitment to
a strong, centralized model of representation that empowers local leaders should OPSEU/SEFPO be certified as the bargaining agent for Ontario Health atHome. OPSEU/SEFPO is uniquely positioned to deliver this model.We want to take a moment to clarify comments made from the first day of tabling, which incorrectly suggested that existing presidents would automatically assume leadership roles, raising concerns about continuity without choice.
Meaningful Provincial Structure
We believe effective representation must begin with leaders chosen by all Ontario Health atHome members, with those leaders feeding into a provincial structure.OPSEU/SEFPO understands that when the employer is centralized, representation must be as well. Instead of allowing the employer to pit us against each other by negotiating contracts one-by-one, OPSEU/SEFPO’s structure would unite locals under a single, democratic, provincial body composed of local leaders at Ontario Health atHome.A two-tiered approach of local and provincial leadership ensures coordination and a double-layer of democracy, so workers are meaningfully represented and heard at both a local and provincial level.
This experience is not theoretical — it is operational, proven, and deeply embedded in how OPSEU functions.Across Ontario’s Public Service, we have long-established provincial decision-making bodies, ensuring province-wide consistency, accountability and effective resolution of systemic issues.If successful, OPSEU/SEFPO is committed to fund paid time off for local leaders to participate in the development and functioning of a central committee during the transition and bargaining period. This investment reflects our belief that elected local leaders must be at the centre of decision-making, not consulted after the fact.
You control bargaining, no one else
OPSEU/SEFPO is committed to true bargaining autonomy, empowering you and your co-workers to make strategic decisions about your contract. This means your elected team calls the shots in bargaining, supported by our expert negotiators, and have protected to our strike fund should you decide to strike.Despite promises of local autonomy, CUPE National controls
bargaining by deciding on resourcing, staffing, and at times puts enormous pressure on CUPE locals to influence final decisions – effectively
overriding local autonomy. Furthermore, access to the strike fund requires approval from CUPE National. OPSEU/SEFPO’s structure backs up our commitment to empowering leadership: you know your workplace best.
Empowered through your dues
OPSEU/SEFPO dues are 1.375% and are pooled centrally, with local rebates returned to locals on a quarterly basis. This means OPSEU/SEFPO Central pays for all contract bargaining, grievances, member education and conferences including annual conventions, covering book off time, travel, and childcare accommodations. This means all members can participate in our union, regardless of the cost or union’s local size.
Our dues are all in: this means no hidden or additional fees, unlike CUPE dues that do not include additional initiation costs and membership fees.The money returned to your local can be used for any legitimate purpose you decide, and our dues can only change through a democratic decision of all 200,000 OPSEU/SEFPO members.Should OPSEU/SEFPO be successful, we are prepared to act immediately — with a representation plan for Ontario Health atHome that is visible, empowered, and worthy of the trust workers place in us.The current fragmented model has led to vast discrepancies between different contracts, regions and locals – our plan to implement a meaningful provincial structure from day one will be a departure from the fragmented model that workers have experienced to date.Together, we will build off our best contracts and implement a structure that can make wins for all workers at Ontario Health atHome.In solidarity,JP Hornick, President OPSEU/SEFPOLaurie Nancekivell, Vice-President/Treasurer OPSEU/SEFPO
This experience is not theoretical — it is operational, proven, and deeply embedded in how OPSEU functions.Across Ontario’s Public Service, we have long-established provincial decision-making bodies, ensuring province-wide consistency, accountability and effective resolution of systemic issues.If successful, OPSEU/SEFPO is committed to fund paid time off for local leaders to participate in the development and functioning of a central committee during the transition and bargaining period. This investment reflects our belief that elected local leaders must be at the centre of decision-making, not consulted after the fact.