Resolutions passed during Convention 2025
A1 – Statutory Resolutions
Submitted by the Executive Board
Therefore be it resolved that as required by Section 17 of the Ontario Not-for- Profit Corporations Act, Convention confirms and approves the actions of the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board that created or amended a bylaw of OPSEU/SEFPO, as reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board from the closing of the last Convention until the closing of this Convention.
Passed
A2 – Statutory Resolutions
Submitted by the Executive Board
Therefore be it resolved that as required by section 68 of the Ontario Not-for- Profit Corporations Act, Convention appoints MNP LLP as Auditors of OPSEU/SEFPO for the fiscal year 2025 or until their successor is appointed.
Passed
C1 – Collective Bargaining/Strike
Submitted by Local 701
also submitted by the Thunder Bay Area Council, Local 503 & 154
Whereas Strike Pay for OPSEU/SEFPO members remains at the current rate of
$250.00 per week, with an increase to $350.00 per week for the fourth week and beyond; and
Whereas no cost-of-living increase has been applied to this rate.
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO members receive an increased strike pay of $450.00 per week ($90.00 per day);
Be it further resolved that strike pay be increased to $550.00 per week ($110.00 per day) commencing week four and beyond;
Be it further resolved that the dependent entitlement be increased to $125.00 per week ($25.00 per day);
Be it further resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO have a clear and transparent process to update strike pay, and dependent entitlement, equitably in a way that reflects the cost of living and is indexed to inflation to avoid falling behind in the future;
Be it further resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO post this strike pay information in an accessible format to reassure the membership, and show resolve to all public sector employers; and
Be it further resolved that as part of its educational mandate, OPSEU/SEFPO provide ongoing education about the strike fund, supporting mechanisms (such as local top-up or hardship funds), the history of strikes, and how to prevent scabbing and strikebreaking.
Passed
E3 Pt. 1 – Education
Submitted by the Coalition of Racialized Workers
also submitted by Sault Ste Marie & District Area Council, the Provincial Young Workers Committee and Nipissing Area Council
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO shall support the Equity Unit and the Dismantling Systemic Racism Project (DSRP) Advisory Unit in furtherance of the timely completion of the DSRP training and place more accountability work with upon the LECs who are not proactive in facilitating their groups in taking the training; and
Be it further resolved that the DSRP submits a DSRP progress training report at every six-month interval to the next scheduled sixth-month meeting of the Board and that all Equity Executive Board Members (EEBMs) shall share such report to their respective Equity Committees following that Board meeting. This reporting shall commence within 90 days of this resolution being passed.
The committee recommends that the delegates vote FOR
Passed
F1 – Affiliations
Submitted by the Retired Members’ Division
also submitted by Sault Ste Marie & District Area Council, Nipissing Area Council, Rideau St. Lawrence Area Council, the Provincial Francophone Committee and South West Area Council
Whereas the OPSEU/SEFPO constitution states in article 10.1 Affiliation of the Union, as a whole, to any labour, fraternal, service or other organization may be decided only by a Convention. Any and all fees and dues payable directly as a result of any affiliation so decided shall be the responsibility of the Union.
Whereas the National Pensioners Federation is fighting the same fight as the OPSEU/SEFPO Retirees Division to defend and improve pensions, pharmacare, long-term care, homecare, affordable housing, affordable internet and cell phone. Protecting seniors from being scammed and exploited.
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO affiliate with the National Pensioners Federation at a cost of $350 a year; and
Be it further resolved that those communications be shared with the Retired Members’ Division.
Passed
F2 -Affiliations
Submitted by Nipissing Area Council
also submitted by Rideau St. Lawrence Area Council, Retired Members’ Division, the Provincial Francophone Committee and South West Area Council
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO recognize the work of the Congress of Union Retirees of Canada (CURC) and OPSEU/SEFPO retirees by ensuring that we are represented at all CURC conventions with voice and vote with a minimum of one Retired Members’ Division representative per region; and
Be it further resolved that the representatives be the Regional Chair of the Retired Members’ Division or an alternate executive member of the Retired Members’ Division for that region.
The committee recommends that the delegates vote FOR
Passed
J2 – Expenses
Submitted by Kingston Area Council
also submitted by Indigenous Circle, Sault Ste Marie Area Council, the Provincial Human Rights Committee, Nipissing Area Council, the Provincial Women’s Committee and Orillia Area Council
Whereas OPSEU/SEFPO is inclusive of all members, prioritizing accessibility as a fundamental principle of both the labour movement and the union itself; and
Whereas universal accessibility is essential to achieving full inclusion; and
Whereas the union is committed to building worker power to advance the labour movement and empower all members; and
Whereas members may obtain an operating advance, enabling them to function using union funds rather than their own personal finances; and
Whereas members are permitted to access advances to cover expenses such as lost wages, childcare, attendant care, transportation, accommodations, meals, mileage, and parking, ensuring participation in union activities is free from financial barriers;
Whereas the time required to process an advance is equivalent to that of processing an expense claim.
Therefore be it resolved that members who submit a request for an advance shall be granted the full amount requested, subject to standard union oversight and guidelines;
Be it further resolved that a clearly defined process be established and communicated to members, outlining how to apply for an advance and how it will be administered, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all; and
Be it further resolved that this be enacted within 3 months of adoption of the resolution.
Passed
L3 – Lobby / Campaigns
Submitted by Region 1 Area Council
also submitted by the Indigenous Circle, Sault Ste Marie & District Area Council, the Provincial Human Rights Committee, Nipissing Area Council, Kingston Area Council, Ottawa Area Council, the Provincial Young Workers Committee, the Provincial Women’s Committee and Sudbury Area Council
Whereas OPSEU/SEFPO has made the commitment to support the efforts and calls to action from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls (MMIWG) National Inquiry; and
Whereas this has been expanded to now include two-spirted, lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual plus (2SLGTBQIA+) people; and
Be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO will renew its commitment to the 231 Calls to Justice, and National Action Plan to end Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and two-spirited, lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual plus (2SLGBTQIA+) people; and
Be it further resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO will renew its commitment by continuing to lobby the provincial, federal, and territorial governments and hold them accountable for failures to implement all the calls to justice.
Call for Justice 1.7 Final Report
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1717103903695/1717103981609
Passed
O1 – Political
Submitted by Local 532
Whereas a trade war hurts workers on all sides. Protectionism is the enemy of the impoverished and powerless; and
Whereas the foundation for social progress is solidarity with workers everywhere. An injury to one is an injury to all; and
Whereas Donald Trump has threatened a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico to the USA (10% on all Canadian bitumen). Canada has stated that it will respond with a 25 per cent counter-tariff on $155 Billion worth of American goods (as of February 1, 2025) and
Whereas U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to “annex by force” Greenland and the Panama Canal, and to absorb by “economic pressure” the Canadian state and its riche; and
Whereas the rate of union representation in the USA was 11.2 per cent in 2023, compared to 20 per cent in 1983. In the Canadian state, union density was 29 per cent in 2023, compared to 37.6 per cent in 1984; and
Whereas America’s unfavourable conditions for workers, including collapsing public health care, education and transportation systems, its growing social inequality, its surging house-less population, its looming climate crisis, and its forever wars, including its complicity with genocide are all reasons not to join the United States; and
Whereas Ottawa and the mainstream politicians promote a Team-Canada approach. But as every worker knows, there are two Canadas – one for the rich, another for everyone else.
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO will call on the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to actively build an alliance with unions and popular movements in the USA and Mexico to resist trade war protectionism; and
Be it further resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO’s response to Trump’s trolling invitation to become the “51st state” is simply “No”.
Passed
Constitutional Amendments passed during Convention 2025
A.01 amend Article 6
to read as follows (changes in bold and strikethrough)
This proposed amendment is H01 in Section H
The Committee has made the required constitutional language changes to enact this amendment as detailed below.
Submitted by Greater Toronto Area Council
Moved by: Gillian Axten
Seconded by: Chad Croteau
Summary: This amendment aligns continued entitlement to Union membership with the various lengths of recall from layoff unique to each Collective Agreement.
The Committee recommends ACCEPTANCE
Rationale:
Currently members who have been laid off retain membership rights for the lesser of the period they could be recalled to work as stipulated in their Collective Agreement or 12 months. This change would eliminate the 12 month maximum in cases where recall rights extend beyond 12 months.
6.4 Notwithstanding the provisions of any other article of this Constitution, a Member subject to regular seasonal, short-term, or indefinite layoff may remain in good standing for up to one year the recall term determined by their Collective Agreement while laid off without payment of dues, but a Member subject to permanent lay-off shall not be eligible for continuing membership for any period of the lay-off.
Passed
A.02 amend Article 13
to read as follows (changes in bold and strikethrough)
This proposed amendment is H02 in Section H
The Committee has made the required constitutional language changes to enact this amendment as detailed below.
Submitted by Local 416 and Ottawa Area Council
Moved by: Jonathan Singer
Seconded by: Jason Dulmage
Summary: This amendment will permit locals with more than one unit to develop voting procedures that distribute their delegate allocation among their different units.
The Committee recommends ACCEPTANCE
Rationale:
Some locals have more than one bargaining unit, and/or more than one collective agreement, and/or more than one employer or ministry, and/or more than one location. Currently the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution does not allow Locals to create bylaws that distribute delegate and alternate entitlement amongst the different Units in the Local.
The proposed change could promote representation from all Units of a Local by permitting Locals to adopt procedures that allocate delegate and alternate positions to different units. We note that this language does not currently permit single Unit Locals to distribute delegates among different occupational groups within that Local.
13.5.1 All delegates and alternate delegates from Locals shall be elected for each Convention at a general membership meeting on the principle of winning a clear majority, with run-off ballots if necessary. In accordance with lLocals bylaws, or two thirds majority vote at the local election meeting, lLocals may elect their delegates and alternate delegates by plurality, and Locals may adopt a procedure to facilitate the election of delegates from various Units within the Local. There shall be separate votes required for delegates and alternates delegates. The Local President shall be the first delegate automatically. Where a lLocals is entitled to more than one alternate delegate, those elected by plurality shall be ranked according to the number of votes received.
Passed
A.05 amend Article 6
to read as follows (changes in bold and strikethrough)
This proposed amendment is H05 in Section H
The Committee has made the required constitutional language changes to enact this amendment as detailed below.
Submitted by Nipissing Area Council, Southwest Area Council, Sudbury Area Council, and Retired Members Division
Moved by: Arlene Proulx
Seconded by: Jason Dulmage
Summary: This would clarify that Retired Members are not considered to “not be in good standing,” that they are protected from discrimination and harassment, and are to be treated with dignity and respect in the Union. It makes no modifications to their membership rights.
The Committee recommends NO RECOMMENDATION
Rationale:
The Committee’s view is that these changes merely offer clarification, and do not change the rights or responsibilities of Retired Members.
As a result, this language is in some ways redundant. It clarifies or emphasizes that Retired Members are not in “bad standing”. Rather, they are members who have their own membership category as defined by Article 6.11.
While some may appreciate the clarification that these changes provide, others may object to adding new language to the Constitution that does not alter the rights and responsibilities of members.
Article 6 MEMBERSHIP
Retired Members
6.11.1 A Member in good standing (as defined in Article 6.3), or an employee of the Union, who ceases to be employed in an OPSEU/SEFPO bargaining unit and leaves the work force by retiring directly to a pension (including a disability pension) earned in their workplace, or retiring from a bargaining unit with no pension plan, is entitled to become and remain a Retired Member on payment of dues of $10.00, provided that the Member or employee is not in the employ of the Union. Retired Members will remain on the Union’s mailing lists for whatever publications they wish to receive. A Retired Member shall have the right to participate, with voice but no vote, in the activities of the Local to which they belonged at the time of retirement, or of a more readily accessible Local upon consent of that Local. However, such participation shall not add to the Local’s entitlement to dues rebates or delegates.
6.11.2 A Retired Member under Article 6.11.1 is not considered to be “not in good standing;” however is not entitled to membership rights except those that are specifically and explicitly reserved for Retired Members.
6.11.3 A Retired Member under Article 6.11.1 has the right to be treated with dignity and respect within the Union and to be free from discrimination, interference, restriction, coercion, harassment, intimidation or disciplinary action exercised or practiced by a Member with respect to another Member, both within the Union and in the workplace, by reason of race, colour, age, national or ethnic origin, political or religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, record of offences, physical characteristics or physical or mental disability.
Passed
A.07 amend Article 14
to read as follows (changes in bold and strikethrough)
This proposed amendment is H07 in Section H
The Committee has made the required constitutional language changes to enact this amendment as detailed below.
Submitted by Local 110 and Region 1 Area Council
Moved by: Arlene Proulx
Seconded by: Chad Croteau
Summary: This change revises the eligibility of Executive Board Member candidates, requiring active employment or status under Article 6.4, 6.5 or 6.12 in addition to being a Member in good standing.
The Committee recommends ACCEPTANCE
Rationale:
There is a level of complexity in the variety of workplaces and types of employment represented by OPSEU/SEFPO. The knowledge gained by being employed in a workplace represented by the Union is essential for the Executive Board Members to manage the operations of the Union.
Article 14 ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF EXECUTIVE BOARD
14.5.1 Any actively employed Member, including those as defined in Article 6.4, 6.5 or 6.12, in a Region may be a candidate for Member of the Executive Board, including Regional Vice-President, even if they are not a delegate to the Regional meeting provided, however, that their nomination is signed, supported by at least two Members from the Region and submitted to the President at least one week before the scheduled opening of the Regional meeting.
Passed