OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas joined members of the Grey-Bruce Labour Council to honour the work of local activists at the annual Activist Dinner Monday night. In a wide-ranging keynote address, Thomas spoke about the important work of labour unions and their activists in winning rights for workers, highlighting the recent pay equity settlement at the LCBO as an example of how unions can improve the lives of precarious workers.
OPSEU members and staff at the Grey-Bruce Labour Council Activist Dinner in Tara, Ont.
Back row from left: Clarke Eaton (staff), David Cox (staff), Donnie Jolley (Vice-president, Local 284), Theresa O’Connor (We own it! organizer), Tim Elphick (President, Local 225), Warren (Smokey) Thomas (President, OPSEU), Karen Gventer (President, Local 276), Drew Finucane (Regional Vice-President, Region 2). Front row: Sabrina Gventer and Nicholas Major
In his remarks, Thomas also discussed the risks faced by Ontarians as a result of the Liberal government’s privatization agenda, inviting members of all unions to join OPSEU's fight to support public services through the We own it! campaign.