College Support Part-time workers from across the province came together at the Delta Chelsea hotel in downtown Toronto on March 24-25 to discuss issues, share stories and elect their bargaining team.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida attended the event, which included College Support Part-time members and 140 College Support members who also had their Divisional Meeting and elections that day. President Thomas offered special congratulations to all of the new College Support Part-time members present, saying: “This is an exciting new chapter in labour history. You are part of the change to the college system that will make Ontario college jobs and workplaces better.”
The newly elected bargaining team includes the Chair, Ted Claeys from Local 124 at Lambton College. The Vice-Chair is Duncan McFarlane from Local 416 at Algonquin College. The bargaining team also includes Christopher Millado from Local 557 George Brown College, and Jennifer Ayotte from Local 656 at Cambrian College.
Everyone participated enthusiastically in the weekend`s activities, and there were many nominees for election to the bargaining team. Thank-you to all who stepped forward for this important work. Notice to bargain has been filed, and bargaining team training begins shortly.
College Support Part-time workers are all invited to join OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida and the College Support Part-Time Staff bargaining team on Wednesday, April 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. for an interactive tele-town hall conference call.
This will be an opportunity to discuss our issues, and vote on our priorities for bargaining. Please visit to send us your phone number so that you can be dialed in for this important event.