News

In a submission to government, OPSEU/SEFPO is urging the province’s leaders to be bold, visionary, and confident as they plan for life after the pandemic. “From the very start of the pandemic, the majority of OPSEU/SEFPO’s 180,000 members have courageously served on the front-lines in communities across the province,” writes OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas....

August 1 is Emancipation Day in Canada, which commemorates the day when slavery was abolished across the British Empire. Earlier this year, the House of Commons voted unanimously to designate this as a federal day in Canada. Senator Wanda Thomas of Nova Scotia first introduced Bill S255 in the Senate back in 2018. On this...

OPSEU/SEFPO has told the London Free Press that it supports a new jail to replace the aging, overcrowded Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) – or at least large-scale retrofits and updates. The union represents more than 300 correctional officers at EMDC. OPSEU/SEFPO is also calling for a return to one inmate in a cell to improve...

Situation: Case count as of July 29, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 29 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Ontario** 549 952 + 218 9 328 + 3...

Situation: Case count as of July 28, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 28 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Ontario** 549 734 + 158 9 325 + 4...

Situation: Case count as of July 27, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 27 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Canada* 1 427 342 + 1 127 26 553...

Situation: Case count as of July 26, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 26 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Canada* 1 426 215 + 228 26 547 +...

OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas sent the following response letter to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones regarding the intimidation of staff at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre by members of the Hells Angels and Guardians motorcycle gangs. Click here to download a copy of the letter. The Honourable Sylvia Jones Solicitor General 25 Grosvenor Street, 18th Floor Toronto,...

Situation: Case count as of July 23, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 23 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Canada* 1 425 097 + 382 26 526 +...

Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is calling for an end to the violent threats and harassment against correctional workers at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC), saying cooler heads must prevail while the investigative process unfolds. “OPSEU/SEFPO supports people’s right to protest,” Thomas said during a media conference organized by the union. “But we...

Situation: Case count as of July 22, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 22 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Canada* 1 424 715 + 495 26 512 +...

OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas sent the following letter to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones demanding she take immediate action to protect front-line correctional staff at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) and denounce the vicious threats and harassment from outlaw biker gangs. July 22, 2021 The Honourable Sylvia Jones Solicitor General 25 Grosvenor Street, 18th Floor...

Toronto – The members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 5117 working at Black Creek Community Health Centre have ratified their new collective agreement, ending a grueling six-week strike for the health care workers. OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas commended Local 5117’s members for holding firm at the picket line in support of the bargaining team, who fought...

OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas sent the following letter to the London Free Press today to register a formal complaint against reporter Randy Richmond for his biased, dangerous and inciteful coverage of events at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre. July 21, 2021 Joe Ruscitti, Editor-in-Chief The London Free Press 210 Dundas Street, Suite 201 London, ON,...

Situation: Case count as of July 21, 2021 / Nombre de cas le 21 juillet 2021 Area / Région Case count / Nombre de cas Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Deaths / Décès Change from yesterday / Changement par rapport à hier Canada* 1 424 220 + 331 26 508 +...