Nine enthusiastic OPSEU member activists are getting hands on experience this fall doing important work for their union.
They’re taking part in OPSEU’s Membership Development Trainee (MDT) program. The members will team up with OPSEU staff and will receive mentoring in the positions of Staff Representative, Education Officer and Web Designer.
This mentoring program is aimed at providing strong future union leaders.
“The strength of a union lies in its membership,” said OPSEU’s First Vice President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida during his welcoming remarks to the participants last week.
Almeida emphasized that over the years, this program has worked in building a roster of qualified members, many of whom have gone on to get staff jobs in OPSEU.
The MDTs, who spent last week receiving an orientation in the work of OPSEU, will receive on the job shadowing, self-directed learning as well as reflective journaling.
The program’s overall goal is to provide learning and development opportunities for the participants.
The program will continue until November 29, with participants splitting their time between head office and the Regions in which they work.
“We welcome these dynamic members and wish them great success in this learning opportunity,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “This program has been a tremendous success that has been good for our members and good for our OPSEU family.”