The following newsletter was emailed to all Sector 11 members on January 30, 2026.Happy New Year from your OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 11 Hospital Support Division Executive! We met for the first time this year on January 22 & 23, 2026 at Head Office. We’re happy to share an update about the work we discussed and what is ahead for 2026!
Central Bargaining
Throughout unionized healthcare workplaces in Ontario, central bargaining tables are common, especially in Hospitals. We continue to work with bargaining units to align our work and agreements as we push for central bargaining.Together, we’re stronger.A great example of why we are stronger together is the OCHU/CUPE 2025-28 contract where they negotiated a 1.75% general wage increase in the final year (2027). We want to be at the table so we have a say in what goes on for our members. We are stronger at resisting low wage outcomes when we stand together.Start the conversation with your Local about joining a push for central bargaining in Sector 11.
We want to hear from you!
To increase our collective fight for better as a sector, we want to hear from you about the following topics:
- Post-Age 65 Benefits – Do you have Employer paid life insurance and LTD for Members over 65? Has securing benefits for those aged 65+ been difficult at your workplace?
- Violence – Has it increased at your worksite? Are these incidents being reported? What are the steps being taken to reduce/eliminate violence by your Employer? Is it working?
- Agency Usage – Is your hospital using agency workers in any department? Have you been successful at stopping agency use, how?
Email
[email protected] with your feedback.
Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification
We will be putting out an expression of interest for JHSC Certification One and Two with the Worker Health and Safety Centre (WHSC). The Divisional Executive are interested in bringing together groups where there is member interest, combining resources to reduce costs.Registration fees will need to be paid by your Local or out of pocket.Please ensure your members have up-to-date information on the Member Portal so the latest sector news can be easily shared with them. Also keep an eye on the
Sector 11 web page for updates or get in touch with us via email at
[email protected].
Upcoming events
Convention will be April 9-11, 2026. Make sure you attend your local General Membership Meeting to stand for election as a delegate. Join thousands of OPSEU/SEFPO members at the biggest event of the year at convention. Check in with your local!Sector 11 Hospital Support Division will have a caucus at Convention and we will announce time and location to delegates closer to Convention.Make sure your delegation has the Sector 11 flag with them at Convention, to use during the convention rally!
Later this year, we’re planning a Leadership Conference to bring together one person from each bargaining unit for a two-day intensive training. We’ll learn bargaining and leadership skills. We’ll hear from OPSEU/SEFPO staff and each other about the challenges and successes we have in the Sector, and we’ll build solidarity as we work towards central bargaining. We’ll announce dates soon! We’re looking for 1 participant from each bargaining unit.
OPSEU/SEFPO Hospital Support Week June 22-28, 2026
In 2025, we marked Hospital Support Week with a poster campaign. For 2026, we’ll be doing this again! Mark June 22-28 in your calendars to plan something fun locally! Stay tuned for updates.
No Paid Plasma
The Government of Ontario and Canadian Blood Services are permitting the for-profit collection of plasma products from Canadians for sale domestically and abroad. Ontarians are stepping up to push back! Learn more at
https://opseu.org/nopaidplasma/Ontario Health Coalition (OHC)
Get involved with your local Ontario Health Coalition, the voice of communities across Ontario fighting against privatization. The OHC has chapters across Ontario, all focused on community and grassroots fights to protect and improve our public healthcare system. Click here to
visit their website.
Stay Up to Date
Have you filled out a member application form? If not, here’s how:
Fill out a Member Application FormBe sure to register/update your information on the Member Portal:
Visit the Member PortalQuestions about how to use the Member Portal? Follow this
Member Portal guide!In solidarity,Your Sector 11 Divisional ExecutiveEmail:
[email protected]Chairperson
Lee-Anne HoflandL159 St Thomas Elgin General Hospital
Vice Chair
Jill McIllwraithL260 Brightshores Health System
Secretary
Lisa TennantL159 St Thomas Elgin General Hospital
Treasurer
Debbie Black-SmithL260 Brightshores Health System
Chairperson, Education and Communications
Jonathan HopkinsL275 South Bruce Grey Health Centre
Chairperson, Health and Safety
Christine MarshallL320 West Parry Sound Health Centre
Chairperson, Collective Bargaining
Karie ColeL260 Brightshores Health System
