The Legal Aid Ontario staff working in the eastern district have voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining OPSEU/SEFPO. The 180,000-strong union now represents nearly 500 staff at every Legal Aid Ontario office across the province.
“Congratulations and well done to all of our Legal Aid Ontario workers,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It wasn’t always easy. But you stuck together, and now you can speak together as one.
“On behalf of the entire Executive Board, I’d like to welcome you to our union. You can count on us to stand with you.”
The newest members work in Legal Aid Ontario offices in Belleville, Napanee, Kingston, Brockville, Perth, Pembroke, Ottawa and Cornwall.
Along with all Legal Aid Ontario workers, the staff at a number of community legal clinics – such as Durham Community Legal Clinic and West Scarborough Community Legal – have also voted in favour of joining OPSEU/SEFPO.
Many of these clinics are funded by Legal Aid Ontario.
“The legal aid system suffered steep cuts before the pandemic, and the people who depend on legal aid have been hurting ever since,” said OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida.
“There is no better way for workers to protect the quality of their services than by joining together in a strong union like OPSEU/SEFPO. Welcome.”