Statement from President Thomas: OPSEU launches 2019 Social Mapping Census

As a public sector union, OPSEU’s priority is to serve our members well. As a social justice union, we also fight for fairness and equality in our workplaces, in our communities and our province.

But if we want better, we’ve got to do better too.

That’s what the 2019 Social Mapping Census is all about, and I’m so thankful for the work of OPSEU’s Social Mapping Committee, its members who represent each equity committee and caucus, and its Board Liaison Laurie Nancekivell for their ongoing dedication to the project and to our union.

OPSEU is a big family, and our Social Mapping Project – “Count Me In” – is about recognizing that as our family grows and changes, so do our members’ priorities. If we’re going to improve services for our diverse membership, we need to hear from them.

It’s why we’re calling on all our members to pitch in!

OPSEU members can complete the 2019 Social Mapping Census by December 16 – it’ll only take a few minutes of your time, but it’ll give us a world of insight, so that we can continue to set union-wide priorities that reflect our members’ own priorities and to plan for the future.

OPSEU’s Social Mapping Project first started back in 2009-10. It was a truly groundbreaking initiative – the largest and first demographic survey of its kind, and it has shaped our union for the better.

But our union’s demographics have continued to change since then. In 2017, OPSEU’s highest ranking authority – Convention – passed a resolution to conduct OPSEU’s second-ever census. The information we gather will once again be used to identify and remove barriers that our members face and to encourage full member participation.

Let’s keep this proud legacy going, because together we can build and strengthen our union in these challenging times.

In Solidarity,

Warren (Smokey) Thomas
OPSEU President