OPSEU Annual Convention 2010
Attended by Dallas Takeuchi - local president and delegate
Barbara Kanabe - steward and delegate
Patric Riley - treasurer and alternate
Dayle Adebayo - alternate
Angelo Alfieri - vice president and observer
Gayle Taylor - retiree
This year’s convention had the largest attendance by local representatives. In total over 1500 convention attendees, with the theme being RISE UP to meet the current challenges faced by labour.
The focus was to unite labour to pressure the government for funding to protect public service wages, secure pensions and procure good jobs.
Inspirational Guests speakers included:
Dr. Brent Hawkes - senior pastor for 30years and, the 1st gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender activist appointed as member of the order of Canada.
Andrea Horwath - first woman to lead the NDP.
And Ireland’s first woman president - Mary Robinson who received the humanitarian honour.
The first day we all participated in a MARCH from the Sheraton Center to the Ministry of Labour to demand justice for the post secondary part time workers, colleges part time and support staff, who are trying to join the union. Their ballots have not been counted. Their ballots have been sealed in boxes for 17 months and could add 20,000 additional members to OPSEU.
Unanimous support for mental health funding - good mental health is a basic human right (Nancy Pridham, Region 5)
Patty Rout, 1st vice/treasurer balanced the budget for 2010 however four approved amendments including two French language translators and other campaigns will increase the deficit.
Social mapping was a big issue and overwhelming voted in favour of continuing with this project.
Overall the convention was successful in dealing with most constitutional and resolution amendments.
Region 5 hospitality suite was an excellent social networking environment in the evenings.
Dallas and Barb shared their delegate positions with Patrick and Dayle so they could also be part of the voting process on various constitutions and resolutions.
We encourage any signed members to try out the experience of convention in the future and interact with so many prominent members of this great union.
Recruiting for: Provincial young workers committee - under 30 years of age