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Minutes of the OPSEU Convention 2019 May 23 – 25, 2019 Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto
Thursday, May 23rd – Morning Session
“We Are OPSEU” video played President Smokey Thomas and First Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo Almeida were introduced to Convention. President Thomas, called the Convention to order at 9:15 a.m. The President welcomed all delegates, alternates, observers and guests to Convention, the highest decision-making body of OPSEU. National anthem was sang by Whitney Otis, the 2017 OPSEU’s Got Talent winner. Krista Maracle, Chair of Indigenous Circle, gave acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands. Statement of Respect – video played. The Harassment and Discrimination Policy was presented in video format. President Thomas referred members to a business card in their Convention bags should an Advisor be needed. A Minute of Silence was observed in memory of all those who have passed away since our last Convention. President Thomas announced names of floor staff. General announcements were made on events and services available at Convention. (Video) Michael O’Shea from Freeman Audio/Visual gave short tutorial on electronic voting process. Video Played. President Thomas introduced the head table:
- Nicole Glass, Back up Recording Secretary
- Sherry Bader, Recording Secretary
- Karlene Henry, Back up Recording Secretary
- Jeff Arbus, Constitution and Rules of Order Advisor
- Maria Wysocki, Procedural Advisor
- Eduardo Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer
President Thomas made two announcements: “OPSEU’s Got Talent Night” on Thursday evening, followed by Drag Show. Comedy Night on Friday evening.
Introduction of Credentials Committee
The members of the Committee are: Region 1 Ian Magcale Local 105 Region 2 Kathryn Richards Local 238 Region 3 Bill Carson Local 369 Region 4 Janet Heyman Local 4104 Region 5 Anthony Marinucci Local 549 Region 6 Kimberley Kazur Local 665 Region 7 Terri Morris Local 714 EBM Janel Perron Local 720 Staff Advisor Fran Borsellino/Linda Mariani Secretary Richard Meagher
Credentials Committee Report
Moved: Kazur, L. 665 / Seconded: Magcale, L. 105 Adoption of Credentials Committee Report as of 8:53 a.m. Delegates 896 Alternates 425 Observers 167 Retirees 7 EBMs 20 Committees 51 Solidarity Guests 29 Guests 3
Total 1,598 Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report CARRIED
Section A – Convention Agenda
Moved: Finucane, EBM, Region 2 / Seconded: Balogin, L. 206 Adoption of the Convention Agenda as distributed. Vote on adoption of the Agenda CARRIED
Section B – Minutes of Last Convention 2018
Moved: Finucane, EBM / Seconded: Balogin, L. 206 Adoption of the Minutes of Convention 2018 as printed in Section B.
Moved: Perron, EBM, Region 3 / Seconded: Gillies, L. 303 Amendment to Page 2, Credentials Committee: change EBM Ed Arvelin to Janel Perron on the Credentials Committee Andrea Horwath, Leader of the NDP, addressed Convention. Year in Review Video played – highlights of some of the accomplishments over the past year
President’s Address
President Thomas addressed Convention with an overview of the last year and the fight ahead. The CAAT Support PT bargaining team joined him on stage. Marilou Martin addressed Convention.
Keynote Speaker
President Thomas introduced David McDonald, professor and anti-privatization activist David McDonald addressed the Convention
Orders of the Day
Nominations for the Office of President and First Vice-President/Treasurer
As per orders of the day, the Nominations for Office of President and First Vice-President/Treasurer commenced. The chair was turned over to Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees, (NUPGE) who explained the nomination procedures to be followed.
Nominations for the Office of President
Larry Brown, President, NUPGE, chaired the election process. One written nomination properly signed by the nominee and nominators was filed with the Chair of the Credentials Committee.
Nominees Nominators
Warren (Smokey) Thomas Sheila Sak, L. 4104 Sara Labelle Nancy Pridham, L. 500 There being no further nominations, nominations for the Office of President closed. Nancy Pridham was given up to two minutes to introduce Sara Labelle, as her nominee for the Office of President of OPSEU. Sara Labelle accepted the nomination for the Office of President. Sheila Sak was given up to two minutes to introduce Warren (Smokey) Thomas as her nominee for the Office of President of OPSEU. Warren (Smokey) Thomas accepted the nomination for the Office of the President.
Nominations for the Office of First Vice-President/Treasurer
Larry Brown, stated that the same rules and procedures apply to the nomination process for the Office of the First Vice-President/Treasurer.
Nominees Nominators
Eduardo Almeida Heather Giardine-Tuck, L. 240 There being no further nominations, nominations for the Office of First Vice-President/Treasurer closed. Eduardo Almeida accepts his nomination for the Office of the First-Vice-President/Treasurer. Eduardo Almeida was acclaimed as First Vice-President/Treasurer of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
Convention recessed at 12:00 p.m Thursday, May 23rd – Afternoon Session
Section C – Audited Financial Statements and Note
Section F – Report on Remuneration
President Thomas introduced Terri McKinnon, our external auditor from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Maurice Gabay, Administrator of Financial Services, OPSEU. Terri McKinnon referred the delegates to Section C and gave a brief overview of the financial statements. Questions were taken from the floor.
President Thomas thanked Terri McKinnon on behalf of the Convention.
Credentials Report
Moved: Kazur, L. 665 / Seconded: Magcale, L. 105 Adoption of Credentials Report as at 1:58 p.m. Delegates 983 Alternates 505 Observers 199 Retirees 7 EBMs 20 Committees 60 Solidarity Guests 36 Guests 3
Total 1,813
Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report CARRIED Donchev, L. 559 – amend the order of the resolutions (no seconder) President Thomas advised this cannot be done. Brother Donchev challenged the Chair. First Vice-President/Treasurer Almeida in Chair. President Thomas gave rationale. First Vice-President/Treasurer Almeida back in Chair Chair upheld.
Resolutions Committee
Introduction of Resolutions Committee
Region 1 – Gino Franche L. 130 Region 2 – Karen Clark L. 212 Region 3 – Elaine Bagnall L. 362 Region 4 – Daryl O’Grady L. 456 Region 5 – Joseph Healy L. 571 Region 6 – Ron Lavigne L. 633 Region 7 – Michael Lundy L. 708 EBM – Laurie Nancekivell EBM L. 116 Staff Advisor – Steve Saysell Secretary – Enrico De Matteo
Resolutions Committee
Statutory Resolution A1 – Financial Statements
Submitted by: Executive Board Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR Moved: Bagnall, Res. Ctte., L. 362 / Seconded: Franche, Res. Ctte., L. 130
BE IT RESOLVED THAT in compliance with Article 26.2 of the Constitution and Section 97 of the
Corporations Act, the Financial Statements for the 12-month period ending December 2018, including the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Revenue and Expenditures, the Statement of Fund Balances and the Statement of Cash Flows, together with the Auditors’ report thereon, and all transactions reflected thereby be approved and that the President and First Vice-President/Treasurer be authorized to sign the financial statements on behalf of the Executive Board. Vote on Statutory Resolution A1 – Financial Statements CARRIED
Resolutions Committee
Statutory Resolution A2 – Endorsement of Executive Board
Submitted by: Executive Board Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR Moved: Bagnall, Res. Ctte., L. 362 / Seconded: Franche, Res. Ctte., L. 130
BE IT RESOLVED THAT in compliance with Section 129 of the
Corporations Act, the Convention endorse the actions of the Executive Board from the closing of the last Convention until the closing of this Convention. Vote on Statutory Resolution A2 – Endorsement of Executive Board CARRIED
Resolutions Committee
Statutory Resolution A3 – Appointment of Auditors
Submitted by: Executive Board Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR Moved: Bagnall, Res. Ctte., L. 362 / Seconded: Franche, Res. Ctte., L. 130
BE IT RESOLVED THAT in compliance with Article 26.2 and 28.4 of the Constitution and Section 94 of the Corporations Act, PWC, PricewaterhouseCoopers; be Auditors of OPSEU for the fiscal year January 1, 2019 through to December 31, 2019 and the Executive Board fix the Auditors’ remuneration. Vote on Statutory Resolution A3 – Appointment of Auditors CARRIED
Section D – Budget 2018
Moved: Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer / Seconded: Thomas, President Adoption of the 2019 Budget as printed in Section D. Eduardo Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer, presented the budget on behalf of the Executive Board. Moved: Strachan, L. 546 / Seconded: Anwar, L. 546 Amend Regional Meetings budget line – increase from $500,000 to $570,000
Vote on amendment to Budget CARRIED Moved: Donchev, L. 559 / Seconded: Muscatello, L. 559 Amend Local Time Off fund budget line from $1,500,000 to $2.3 million
Vote on amendment to Budget CARRIED Moved: Palmieri, L. 206 / Seconded: Irving, L. 288
Closure on Budget Vote on Closure to Budget CARRIED Vote on Budget as amended CARRIED
Executive Board Report – Section E
Moved: Finucane, EBM, Region 2 / Seconded: Perron, EBM, Region 3 Vote on Executive Board Report CARRIED
Resolutions Committee
J2 – Expenses – Section G
Submitted by: Thunder Bay Area Council Resolutions Committee’s Recommendation: FOR Moved: Bagnall, Res. Ctte., L. 362 / Seconded: G. Franche, Res. Ctte., L.130 Whereas there remains to be financial barriers for locals further away from Toronto, to send alternate delegates to Convention, while locals in Regions 5, and parts of Region 2 and 3 can send alternates at little additional cost; and Whereas Locals with only one delegate must send their President or designee, and deny all other interested activists the experience; and Therefore be it resolved that the Executive Board create a committee, including at least one Local President from each Region, to review the funding formula for locals and to make recommendations from each region to review the funding formula for locals. The Executive Board to make recommendations to Convention 2020 that would allow locals further away from Toronto to be able to afford to send at least one alternate delegate to Convention each year. Moved: Nasello, L. 5111 / Seconded: Ariza, L. 5111 Referral back to Committee with instructions to change “local president” to “Executive Board Member”.
Vote on Referral to Committee CARRIED Committee recommends AGAINST amendment Moved: Beaumont, L. 309 / Seconded: Burton, L. 309 Closure on Resolution J2
Vote on Resolution J2 as in Section G CARRIED
Orders of the Day Awards Presentation
Health and Safety – Individual
Recipient: Stuart Wilson, L. 234 This year’s winner of the Outstanding Individual Health and Safety Award goes to Stuart Wilson, Local 234. Stuart is from the Maplehurst Correctional Complex and has been a tireless advocate for improved Health and Safety in his workplace. Stuart accepted the award and addressed Convention.
Leah Casselman Award – Individual
Recipient: April Paton, Local 112 This award is given to the individual who excels in mobilizing members. This year’s recipient is April Paton, Local 112. As an OPS Child Care Worker, April kept up the fight for herself and her colleagues for the reclassification of the Child Care Worker to Case Worker in the mental health and social services sector in April 2018. This was a landmark victory thanks to her dedication and commitment to mobilizing to win.
Leah Casselman Award – Local
The winner of this year’s Leah Casselman Award (local) is the 2017 CAAT Academic Bargaining Team. The CAAT A Bargaining Team was a champion for the interests of full time and partial load faculty at the bargaining table. JP Hornick, Chair of the 2017 Bargaining Team introduced the members of the team, addressed Convention and they accepted their award.
Constitution Committee
Introduction of Constitution Committee
Region 1 Naz Binck L. 137 Region 2 Dave Wakely L. 277 Region 3 Tim Hannah L. 308 Region 4 Dave Doran L. 462 Region 5 Janice Hagan L. 561 Region 6 Leanne Pold-Dellavedova L. 607 Region 7 Sophia Ambrose L. 736 Staff Advisor Pat Honsberger Secretary Andrea Meunier Article 27.1 The Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of those delegates present and voting at any Convention.
Constitutional Amendment A.1, Article 12
Submitted by: Locals 137, 243, 416, 561, Greater Toronto Area Council and Ottawa Area Council Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE Moved: Binck, Const.Ctte. L.736 / Seconded: Hagan, Const. Ctte., L.561
Amend Article 12 to read as follows: (changes in bold) 12.1.1 All Members of the Union shall be organized into Units
and no Member may be a member of more than one Unit, except where the Member is employed in more than one bargaining unit by a different employer.
Vote on Constitutional Amendment A.1 CARRIED
Constitutional Amendment A.2,
Submitted by: Locals 137, 561, Greater Toronto Area Council Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: ACCEPTANCE Moved: S. Ambrose, Const. Ctte L.736 / Seconded: Pold-DellaVedova, Const. Ctte., L. 607
A.2 Amend Article 13 to read as follows: (changes in bold) 13.6 Except for delegates under Article 13.4(b), (c), (d) and (e), no person may be a delegate unless s/he is a Member in good standing of the Local which elected him/her as a delegate. No
person member may be a
Member delegate of more than one Local at the same time or cast more than one vote at a Convention
, except where the Member is employed in more than one Local by a different employer . Honorary Members may not be delegates.
Vote on Constitutional Amendment A.2 CARRIED
President Thomas turned the Chair over to Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees to conduct the QandA
Questions and answer session was conducted with the two candidates, President Warren (Smokey) Thomas and Sara Labelle, 2
nd VP
Convention adjourned at 5:05 p.m.Friday, May 24th – Morning Session
Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public and General Employees called the Convention to order at 9:11 a.m.
Credentials Report
Moved: Magcale, L. 105 / Seconded: Kazur, L.665 Adoption of Credentials Committee Report Delegates 989 Alternates 513 Observers 201 Retirees 7 EBMs 20 Committees 53 Solidarity Guests 33 Guests 3
Total 1,819
Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report CARRIED
Candidates for President of OPSEU – presentations
Draw for first speaker Sara Labelle, 2
nd Vice-President, addressed Convention Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President, addressed Convention Each candidate named their scrutineers. Ballots handed out.
Total Eligible to vote – 1,069 Ballots cast – 1,044 Invalid – 3 Need 522 (majority) Sara Labelle– 408 Smokey Thomas – 632 Warren Smokey Thomas declared President President Thomas thanked delegates of Convention.
Ranking of RVP’s
Newly elected RVP’s came to stage. Each RVP addressed Convention in order from region 7 to 1 (given one minute to speak) Distributed ballots
Adjourned for lunch – 12 p.m. Friday, May 24th, Afternoon Session
Donations Policy
Every year delegates can make an appeal for donations. The money collected will be distributed to the various causes after the appeals are reviewed by the Executive Committee. OPSEU matches the donation up to a maximum of $5,000. Staff collected donations from floor.
Ranking results
Sara Labelle, Region 3 (2
nd RVP) Len Elliot, Region 1 (3
rd RVP) Lucy Morton, Region 2 (4
th RVP) Edie Strachan, Region 5 (5
th RVP) Ed Arvelin, Region 7 (6
th RVP) Tara Langford, Region 4 (7
th RVP) Tara Maszczakiewicz, Region 6 (8
th RVP)
Moved: Ainsworth, L. 560 / Seconded: Paterson, L. 560 To destroy ballots – CARRIED President Thomas returned to Chair
Credentials Report
Moved: Kazur, L. 665 / Seconded: Richards, L. 238 Adoption of Credentials Report as at 1:51 p.m. Delegates 994 Alternates 516 Observers 204 Retirees 7 EBMs 20 Committees 53 Solidarity Guests 49 Guests 3
Total 1,846
Vote on Adoption of Credentials Report CARRIED
Solidarity Guests
President Thomas introduced Solidarity Guests Larry Brown, President, NUPGE Carol Meyer, Managing Director, NUPGE Susie Proulx-Daigle, President New Brunswick Union of Public and Private Employees Paul Finch, Treasurer, BC Government and Services Employees Union Karen Jackson, National Vice-President, PEIUPSE Bert Bludon, Secretary-Treasurer, NUPGE Marie Claire Walker, Secretary-Treasurer, CLC Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party Rob Halpin, Director, OFL Patty Coates, Secretary-Treasurer, OFL Keith Jeffers, CEO, Employment Matters Hildah Otieno, Executive Director, Canadian Federation of Students Kayla Weiler, National Executive Representative, Canadian Federation of Students Megan Peck, President, Association of Law Officers of the Crown Mark Mendl, Counsel, Mendl Workplace Law Sandra Mullen, 1
st Vice President, NSGEU Tammy Gillis, 3
rd Vice President, NSGEU Hiona Murray, Executive Assistant, PEGO Ben Hendry, President, PEGO Wendy Hurry, Vice President, Public Service Association NSW Kris Cruden, Business Public Service Association NSW Ylber Kusari, Director, Stephen Lewis Foundation Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Senior Advisor, Stephen Lewis Foundation Dennis Mawejje Wamala, Uganda Human Rights, Stephen Lewis Foundation Kimbalin Kelly, Interim Executive Director, Feed Ontario Naureen Rizvi, Ontario Regional Director, UNIFOR Chris MacDonald, Assistant to the President, UNIFOR James Whelan, President, Ontario Harness Horse Association Hilary Campbell, President, Education Resource Facilitators of Peel Kim Liddle, Treasurer, Education Resource Facilitators of Peel Chris Buckley, President, OFL Andrea Horwath, Leader, Ontario New Democratic Party Earl Burt, Treasurer, Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation David McDonald, Professor Queen’s University Fred Hahn, President CUPE Wynne Hartviksen, Executive Assistant, CUPE John Fraser, Member, Standing Committee on Social Policy, Ontario Liberal Party Joe Cressy, Spadina-Fort York, Toronto City Council Pam Doig, OPSEU Peggy Maybury, OPSEU Victor Fung, Assistant to Administrator, OPSEU Marilou Martin, A/Supervisor Special Projects, CAAT Support OPSEU Lois Boggs, President, OPSSU Alyssa Walker, 1
st VP, OPSSU Iris Neagos, Assistant to 1
st VP/Treasurer, OPSEU Tania Boisjoly, A/Assistant to 1
st VP/Treasurer, OPSEU Mary Kalliontzis, Assistant to Administrator, OPSEU Kaley Warner, Assistant to Administrator, OPSEU Michelle Allonson, Assistant to Administrator, OPSEU
Guest Speaker President Thomas introduced Ilana Landsberg-Lewis and Dennis Wamala, who attended as Solidarity Guests on behalf of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Both addressed Convention. Award Presentation
Stanley H. Knowles Humanitarian Award
Recipient: Harry Leslie Smith OPSEU is pleased to present the Stanley H. Knowles Humanitarian Award posthumously to Harry Leslie Smith. Harry was known as the world’s oldest rebel. He spent the last years of his life spreading an important message; the continued existence of public services, accessible to all, like hospital, schools, and the social safety net, is not guaranteed. They are under imminent threat and nothing short of immediate and sustained action is needed to preserve them. Although Harry is no longer with us, Harry’s spirit of defiance of austerity and corporate greed lives on. His son, John Max Smith accepted the award on Harry’s behalf. John addressed Convention.
OPSEU Retired and Deceased Staff (May 2018 to May 2019)
Video displayed names
Retired Staff Members
Name / Date of Hire / Retirement Date Lancelot (Lance) Smith/ June 2, 1997 / July 16, 2018 Cleaner 2 Tracey Mussett / July 31, 1995 / August 1, 2018 Organizing Representative Gregory Hamara / September 5, 2011 / August 28, 2018 Communications Officer Marisa Forsyth / February 27, 2006 / September 1, 2018 Staff Representative Carol Warner / February 1, 1988 / September 1, 2018 Staff Representative Carol Wilson / April 26, 2004 / September 1, 2018 Convention Secretary Demetrio (Nixon) Bernardino / January 5, 1998 / October 1, 2018 ISD Systems Technician – Software Louise Beauchamp / July 14, 2008 / November 1, 2018 Secretary Gloria Marcos / March 15, 1993 / November 1, 2018 Regional Office Secretary Cynthia Mattai / October 3, 1994 / November 1, 2018 Assistant to Administrator Audrey Williams / December 1, 2004 / November 1, 2018 Supervisor Lori Dileo / October 19, 1987 / December 1, 2018 Assistant to General Counsel Brian Gould / January 2, 1990 / December 1, 2018 Administrator Pati Habermann / May 9, 2008 / December 1, 2018 Staff Representative Geraldine Ryan / January 11, 2008 / December 1, 2018 Supervisor Steve Crossman/ October 6, 1997 / December 3, 2018 Research Officer George (Val) V.P. Patrick / June 23, 2008 / January 1, 2019 Regional Grievance Officer Judy Storey / June 5, 1995 / March 1, 2019 Staff Representative Brenda Howard / November 5, 2007 / April 1, 2019 Regional Office Secretary Brenda Wood / December 4, 1995 / May 1, 2019 Staff Representative
Deceased Staff Members
Lisa McCaskell Health and Safety Officer Date of Death – February 19, 2019
Deceased Retired Staff Members / Retirement Date
James Fawcett Staff Representative / September 1, 1989 Date of Death: March 1, 2019 Lucile Glover Secretary / June 30, 1990 Date of Death: November 12, 2018 Jeannine Hanson PPT Secretary / July 1, 1994 Date of Death – February 12, 2019 Michael Rowett Staff Representative / January 1, 1997 Date of Death: March 26, 2019 Donald Stewart Staff Representative/ November 1, 2005 Date of Death: October 24, 2018
Equity Updates
Equity Committees presented their updates for their work over the past year
Social Mapping Report
EBM Laurie Nancekivell gave her report on the work of the Social Mapping Committee
Award Presentations
Live and Let Live Award
President Thomas presented OPSEU’s Live and Let Live Award to Lyla Richard, Local 153, who was instrumental in supporting the London region region’s HIV/AIDS Red Scarf campaign. Since 2012, local community members have been invited to knit or crochet scarves to donate to Regional HIV/AIDS Connection – a well respected AIDS Service Organization that has led the way in terms of advocacy and support. President Thomas thanked Lyla for her local leadership and dedication to building bridges in the community.
Withering Trillium Award
The Withering Trillium Award goes to Doug Ford and his Cabinet Doug “Fraud” accepted the award and addressed Convention.
Donations
$7,711.05 in donations were collected from the floor. Executive Board to match up to $5,000 Moved: Billard, L. 598 / Seconded: Chicas, L. 545 OPSEU match the donation of $7,711.05 and round up to $15,000
Vote to match donations of $7,711.05 and round up to $15,000 CARRIED
Constitutional Committee
Constitutional Amendment A.3, Articles 13 and 14
Submitted by: Locals 362,446, 546, 549, 634, Oshawa Area Council and Thunder Bay Area Council Constitutional Committee’s Recommendation: DEFEAT Moved: Wakely, Const. Ctte, L. 277 / Seconded: Hannah, L. 308
A.3 Amend Article 13 and Article 14 to read as follows: (changes in bold)
Article 13.4 Delegate entitlement to Conventions shall be as follows: a) Locals Up to 150 Members 1 delegate 151 to 300 Members 2 delegates 301 to 500 Members 3 delegates 501 to 800 Members 4 delegates 800 to 1100 Members 5 delegates 1101 to 1500 Members 6 delegates 1501 to 1900 Members 7 delegates 1901 to 2300 Members 8 delegates 2301 or more Members 9 delegates b) Each Member of the Executive Board shall be entitled to be a delegate of his/her Region. c) Each Member of a Convention Committee as stipulated under Article 13.9.1 shall be entitled to be a delegate of his/her Region. d) The Members of the Executive Committee of the Retired Members’ Division, or their alternates, to a maximum of seven (7) persons, shall be entitled to be delegates. e) The Member of the Provincial Women’s
