When people say, “It’s the holidays already!” there’s often a hint of anxiety. Many of us are running in and out of stores, planning parties, baking, buying meal ingredients and getting out cards.
Year-end is particularly busy in many workplaces. Our members who work around the clock sometimes experience a surge during the holidays, meaning our members are working longer and harder shifts. Think of them during festive times.
Take a few quiet moments to ponder the meaning of the season. With another year behind us, it’s an ideal time to give thanks – not only for the love of those dear to us, but also for the benefits we enjoy in Ontario, whether they be material, like excellent universal health care, or societal, like inclusion, equity and transparency.
Then respond in a concrete way. Give just a little more to a favourite charity. And as a brand-new decade approaches, resolve to give more of your time, talent or resources to something to make Ontario a better, fairer place to live. It doesn’t have to be a lot. But if we make one small gesture, together – all 165,000 of us – what a big difference we can make!
From our families to yours – the wider OPSEU family and your own families, whether born into or chosen – we extend our warmest wishes for a safe and joy-filled holiday season and a new year filled with hope and renewed promise.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, OPSEU First Vice-President/Treasurer