News

Delegates from HPD bargaining units across Ontario gathered May 7 and 8 for the Sector 10 Hospital Professionals Pre-Bargaining Conference, where they elected their new HPD central bargaining team! Participants were welcomed with opening remarks from President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell. HPD Chair Sara Labelle and HPD Vice-Chair Sandi Blancher both chaired...

Following the Arbitration Award, announced January 21st, for the OPS Unified Bargaining Unit, the employer and the union have held ongoing meetings to discuss the implementation of the award. The parties have reviewed the new wage rates for all classifications, except for nurse classifications. This includes the general wage increases for 2022, 2023, and 2024,...

Amanda Usher – OPS Unified Bargaining Team Chair (CERC Chair) Amanda Usher is an Ambulance Communications Officer (ACO) with over 18 years of experience, including 8 years as a fixed-term contract employee. Amanda has achieved remarkable milestones that have made her a proud OPSEU/SEFPO member and activist. Currently serving as the elected OPS CERC Chair, Amanda...

Updated Timeline on Arbitration Award The employer sent out an email to OPS Unified members with an updated timeline on when members can expect wage increases, and retroactive pay from the Award. We have been putting continuous pressure on the employer to speed up the process and are deeply disappointed with their slow rollout. You...

Thank you to the thousands of members who joined our Townhall last month to review the contents of the Bill 124 wage re-opener Award issued by Arbitrator Gerry Lee. Backgrounder The Ford government’s Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, was found to be void and of no effect in November...

Downloadable PDF OPSEU/SEFPO includes a diverse workforce upwards of 45,000 professionals in postsecondary education, spanning all 24 public colleges and 16 public universities and postsecondary institutions in Ontario. These individuals encompass a wide range of roles, including food service workers, professors, counsellors, caretakers, nurses, academic support specialists, instructors, information technologists, lab technologists, international student advisors,...

On Wednesday, April 24th, Fleming College announced the suspension of 29 programs across its campuses – over 1/5 of programs offered – framing the decision as a response to declining fall enrolment after federal caps to international student visas. Union, sector, and student leaders quickly mobilized to push back on this narrative, arguing the case for financial...

On Wednesday morning leaders from the Ontario Nurses Association, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Canadian Union of Public Employees called on the Ontario government to prioritize home and community care workers and the services they provide across the province. ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss, RN, OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and CUPE Ontario...

The implementation of the December 4, 2023 arbitration award has been a slow and frustrating process. Getting the Employer to prioritize implementation has been challenging. Their availability has been incredibly minimal and often lacking the appropriate resources to facilitate meaningful and fulsome discussions that would resolve the outstanding issues. While the Employer stated that implementation...

LifeLabs workers in Local 389 have been on strike for a week. They’re holding the line until they get a fair deal that prioritizes patient care and workers over profits. After over a year of bargaining, the employer failed to offer a fair deal that would meet these workers’ needs. The employer wants to claw...

OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board has passed a resolution to uphold principles of peace, justice, and international law and supports our rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression; and supports the call for a lasting, peaceful, and just resolution to the Israel/Hamas war that prioritizes international law and the protection of civilian lives. We as...

OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and College leaders sent the following letter today to Premier Doug Ford and the Minister of Colleges and Universities of Ontario, Jill Dunlop, after the unprecedented suspension of 29 programs at Fleming College. We are urging the government to safeguard students’ futures, as well as the economic health and environmental well-being...

Elections for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Members at Large will take place. It is further noted that your name must be on the Region Retired Membership list in your Region to run or vote for any elected position. If you or your local have not paid the once in a lifetime...

Elections for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Members at Large will take place. It is further noted that your name must be on the Region Retired Membership list in Region 5 to run or vote for any elected position. If you or your local have not paid the once in a lifetime...

During this year’s annual Correctional Services Staff Recognition Week (the first week of May), we recognize the important contribution to public safety made by correctional workers across Ontario. OPSEU/SEFPO represents members who have dedicated their careers to working with adults and youth in conflict with the law, in adult correctional institutions, youth centres, adult probation...