‘Diversity is our strength’: OPSEU endorses Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities

At OPSEU, we know that diversity is our strength; in our union, our communities and in every single workplace. We know that diversity enriches our society and that meaningful inclusion depends on the eradication of discrimination in all its forms.    It’s why I’m proud to announce that OPSEU has endorsed the Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities, which affirms our commitment to stand up for the rights and dignity of everyone.   In a world where racism, far-right ideology and white nationalism are on the rise – where Jews, Muslims, immigrants and other equity-seeking groups are threatened with discrimination and increasing violence – we must take a stand against division and fear, and embrace unity and hope.      We must encourage all OPSEU members, locals, area councils, equity committees and caucuses to continue to organize against racism, xenophobia, bigotry and discrimination of all kinds.    By sharing this Charter with members and allies and posting it in our workplaces we will continue to nurture inclusive workplaces and strengthen our shared commitment to equality, respect, justice and dignity for all.   In Solidarity Always, Warren (Smokey) Thomas OPSEU President     Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities   Discrimination in all its forms, including racism and Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of racism, xenophobia and bigotry threatens our country’s rich social fabric, including the workplaces of OPSEU members and other workers, and the communities in which we live. Dividing people because of race, religion, ancestry or any other difference that undermines human rights serves only to weaken our unions and our society.   By endorsing this Charter, we commit to standing up for the rights and dignity of everyone in order to promote inclusive, just and respectful workplaces and communities;   That is why we affirm that: Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of racism, xenophobia, and bigotry have no place in our workplaces or communities. Discrimination and acts of hate against OPSEU members and others in our communities marginalizes individuals and groups and excludes them from participating fully in our unions, workplaces and communities. The dignity of every member is essential to a healthy and vibrant union and workplace. As a union, we will work with the labour movement, all levels of government, Indigenous peoples, civil society, and communities to develop policies, programs and initiatives to reduce and eliminate racism, hate and bigotry in all its forms. By working together, we can nurture inclusive workplaces and strengthen our shared commitment to OPSEU’s values of equality, respect, justice, and dignity for all. To download a PDF version of the Charter that can be printed and posted in your workplace, please click here.   To view Resolution EB1 – the resolution that was carried at OPSEU Convention 2018 to endorse the Charter of Inclusive Workplaces and Communities – click here.

Following a recent WMG decision, the management WMG Co-Chair issued a memo to all Academic Managers with full-time Faculty advising them that any full-time Faculty who have not completed the mandatory training and who have a SWF until June 16th must have their SWF revised to reflect one complementary hour in a one week period for the SA 16- Sexual Assault/Sexual Violence training module.

As such, if you have not already completed the mandatory training and have a SWF until June 16th,  then I recommend that you contact your manager for a revised SWF if you have not already received one that reflects this mandatory training.

David Haley, WMG Co-Chair

OPSEU Local 415

In order to attend the faculty General Membership Meeting on May 14, faculty must be OPSEU members in good standing.

To validate this requirement, the local will be using our most current membership list, however, in the event of a discrepancy on the list it is advisable for you to bring a current pay statement (obtained through Workday) with you to the meeting as proof of Partial Load status. OPSEU membership forms will also be available at the meeting.

Please note that  the college has advised the local that non full time faculty will continue to have access to various college systems until September 8, 2019. As such, if you find yourself currently cut off from college systems, you should advise the local.

In solidarity

Tracy Henderson

Steward, Local 415

1st Alternate, Divisional Executive

Here is more information regarding how unions representing a wide range of Ontario’s public sector workers – from teachers to nurses to hospital janitors – fear that legislation to freeze or limit their wages is on the way. 

The Ford government is meeting with the unions for what it describes as “consultation sessions” on reining in public sector pay. One of the proposals floated by the province: capping future wage increases through legislation.

An interesting point in this CBC news article is that it’s far from clear that negotiated pay hikes with public sector unions are to blame for Ontario’s deficit. As the government’s own statistics reveal, the average wage settlements in the public sector have actually been lower than those in the private sector for five years running as illustrated in the Annual Average Wage Increases in Ontario Collective Bargaining table in the article.

Here is a link to the full CBC news article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-union-negotiation-wage-cap-legislation-1.5126776

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Pat Kennedy, President

OPSEU Local 415

As a member of the Algonquin College Taskforce for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, I wanted to invite you to register to attend the keynote address at this year’s Kaleidoscope conference on Wednesday May 15th from 9-10 am at our Woodroffe Campus (livestream available). Our speaker is Dr. Bill Howatt, Chief of Research, for The Conference Board of Canada who has over 25 years’ experience in mental health and addictions, and leadership. Dr. Howatt will be speaking on Mastering Mental Health Through Resiliency and Coping Skills.  

Please visit the Kaleidoscope website to learn more: https://www.algonquincollege.com/kaleidoscope/keynotes/#howatt

You can register to attend here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/kaleidoscope/registration/

I hope to see you there!

Landyn Blais, Steward

OPSEU Local 415

As you may have heard, the government has announced a consultation through the Treasury Board on how to “manage Ontario public sector compensation growth.” On Friday, April 26 there was a consultation specifically for OPSEU, which included Executive Board Members and Sector Chairs, and on May 3 there was another just for the post-secondary sector.   

The first session began with a government lecture about debt and “unsustainable” wage growth. We believe they are engaging in this consultation to try to insulate themselves against future Charter challenges, although any interference with free and collective bargaining will likely result in labour Charter cases. The entire consultation took 55 minutes. 

The consultations should wind up by late May. Overall, for now, I cannot say they will try to open up collective agreements and interfere with current wages or defined wage increases because this would be the clearest kind of Charter violation. It is more likely that they will impose restrictions on future collective agreements or with regulations. I assume some type of direction from the government will be forthcoming prior to the start of bargaining this fall in the provincial school systems.   I will keep you updated as additional information becomes available.  

On top of the outsourcing of both faculty and counsellors’ work, this is clearly a sign the collective agreement is being scrutinized and provides us with a wakeup call that we need to focus on building strong and engaged locals so we can fight back against further cutbacks that are undoubtedly coming our way.

Finally, CBC News has learned more details about how the Ford government will measure the performance of Ontario’s colleges and universities to determine the total funding they receive. Please see the link below:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-doug-ford-university-college-post-secondary-grants-1.5121844

Pat Kennedy, President

OPSEU Local 415

General Membership Meeting (GMM)

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Woodroffe Campus Room A154

with teleconference link to Pembroke and Perth

12:00 – 2:00

** Sandwiches and a beverage will be provided **

1. Call to order

2. Statement of Respect

3. Approval of the Agenda

4. Approval of the Minutes of May 10, 2018 GMM

5.  Business Arising from May 10, 2018 GMM

6. President’s Update: Pat Kennedy

7. Local 415 Budget: Shawn Pentecost

8. OPSEU Convention 2020 Resolutions

9. Elections

a) Workload Monitoring Group: 2

b) Health and Safety (Woodroffe): 1

d) CAAT Division: 4

e) OPSEU Convention 2020 (May 21 – 23, 2020) 4

f) OPSEU Region 4 Meeting (a Saturday in March 2020): 4

g) OPSEU Area Council (fourth Wednesday evening: September, November, January, March, May): 2

h) ODLC Reps (third Wednesday evening of the month): 1

i) Trustees: 2

10. Adjournment

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OPSEU Local 415 Communications Officer