There has been on going internal strife at OPSEU head office which I have reported on in our local newsletter and at the general meetings. What you read in the Toronto Star here OPSEU President accused of trying to get rival fired: Cohn/Toronto Star has been a matter of ongoing negotiations and discussion within our CAAT-A Division leadership. At this time, given the ongoing legal procedures, all I can say is that we twenty-four college union presidents stand with Kevin MacKay, the professor and union activist at Mohawk College.
Kevin is not only a member of our five-person Divisional executive, but he is also a member of our 2017 Bargaining Team. Kevin was also a prominent spokesperson for the CAAT-A Divisional Executive when OPSEU managers threatened the Executive last year with a lawsuit for having demanded a more thorough investigation into sexual misconduct a head office. Only after this issue was aired at Convention last year in front of 2000 delegates did the OPSEU managers withdraw their intention to sue.
As for the treatment of the staff who work OPSEU, we continue to monitor the deteriorating situation between OPSEU management and the staff who work for OPSEU and their union: OPSSU ( Ontario Public Service Staff Union). We believe the staff who work for OPSEU should enjoy the treatment befitting a progressive union, so we will report on developments as they emerge. Please read the latest newsletter from OPSSU here.
Rest assured that we are on top of this, legally and morally. And rest assured that we are proceeding towards contract negotiations with no loss of footing or determination to secure a fair deal for our next contract. I will report as matters become public.
President Local 415