Message from the President and First Vice-President/Treasurer
After spending some solid time preparing for success at the table, your bargaining team and the employer have landed on bargaining dates. We’re as excited as you and your team to get moving.
The team is taking a number of urgent demands to the table – things that are important to you and yours, and for which you voted as part of OPSEU/SEFPO’s profoundly democratic bargaining process.
Yes, it’s been real tough since the pandemic started and we admire your courage and dedication. Front-line members like you never cease to amaze and inspire us. But better times are ahead, friends. After looking after students’ needs during these long months, it’s your time to have your needs looked after.
We’ll be following the course of negotiations very closely as they unfold. If ever there’s something more OPSEU/SEFPO can do to help your team at the table, we’ll be on it.
The bottom line? Your union has your back – now, and at every step along the way to a collective agreement.
In solidarity,
OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Message from the chair – dates have been set
Since the update we sent you in May, your bargaining team has been at work finding bargaining dates with Employer College Council. You might be surprised how hard that is! As with so many aspects of bargaining, an ample supply of flexibility and patience is essential. Having said that, we are now happy to report that bargaining dates have been confirmed: We will be going to the table on June 22, 25 and 30.
We’re proud of our slogan for this round: bargaining for better! Better for workers. Better for students. Better for the economic recovery of this province.
We’re putting the final touches on our strategy and the demands we’re bringing to the table. The demands and priorities delegates voted for at the final-demand set meeting held in late January will always be our compass.
That means we’ll be focusing on things that really matter to you, like paid sick days and benefits, job postings and job security. We know these are important, because we’re in the very same boat as you.
Above all, we want a clear affirmation of our basic dignity as equal partners in the college system. We’re a key and indispensable part of the postsecondary education process – and it’s high time we were recognized as such.
Once bargaining starts, we’ll be in close touch so you’re up to speed on developments as they happen. So keep a close eye on your email – to stay informed and to respond if we need your help.
Now let’s get bargaining for better!
In solidarity,
Lisa Lavigne
Chair, CAAT-S PT Bargaining Team
Welcome, Doreen Follett!
Unfortunately, the team’s student rep, David Brooks (Local 241) has stepped down from the team. We express our sincere appreciation to David for his many contributions to the team since he was elected earlier this year, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
Having to replace the vacant position, we’re delighted that Doreen Follett, [email protected], Local 416 (Algonquin College), has agreed to take his place on the bargaining team. Doreen was elected as an alternate to the team in January. She has been on the Part-Time Support Staff Employee/Employer Relations Committee (EERC). We’re confident she’ll be a valuable asset to the team.
Lisa Lavigne, Chair, Local 349
Nour Askandar, Vice-Chair, Local 557
Dale Gartshore, Local 124
Rick Townend, Local 109
Denis Martinez, Local 561
Julie Davis, Local 351
Doreen Follett, Local 416
Heather Petrie (OPSEU/SEFPO negotiator)