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  • OPSEU/SEFPO Jewish Caucus Callout and Gathering

    OPSEU/SEFPO invites active members who self-identify as Jewish to attend an upcoming gathering scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 7-9pm.  This gathering will be held online, link will be provided to eligible members who respond to this invitation.

     The purpose of this gathering will be to bring together Jewish members and to elect/select from amongst the attendees, members who will sit on the union’s Jewish Caucus. This caucus will have no more than 12 members.

    Once formed, the OPSEU/SEFPO Jewish Caucus will work with an Executive Board Liaison and a Human Rights Officer from OPSEU/SEFPO’s Member Equity Unit to develop a Terms of Reference in keeping with the union’s policies. They will be submitted to the Executive Board for approval and will take effect immediately thereafter.

    For any questions, please contact the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Equity Unit at equity@opseu.org.

    Registration is now closed

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  • Part-Time Support Staff Bargaining Update: A second-rate deal is a bait-and-switch, not a breakthrough

    Bargaining Bulletin #8:

    On Thursday, January 23rd, the College Employer Council (CEC) filed for conciliation, a process either side can initiate through the Ministry of Labour to appoint a third-party conciliation officer to try and help the parties reach a settlement. Once a conciliator is appointed, the parties will book conciliation dates together – which will be communicated to members once secured.

    The process of conciliation is most successful when both parties show up in good-faith. For nearly a full calendar year, we have been ready to reach a fair agreement that raises all workers up, with multiple pathways to settlement – but we can’t achieve that on our own. 

    To date, the employer has failed to concede on what amounts to the bare minimum, two-tiering access to sick time – leaving Casual, Temporary, and Student Part-Timers behind. Any progress we’ve made at the table – the employer’s so-called “breakthrough provisions” – has emerged from member priorities, reflected in our proposals, and achieved through workers’ persistent campaigning at campuses across Ontario. 

    A year into this process, we’re left asking: what has the employer brought to the bargaining table?

    For years, the college system has raked in historic profits and record surpluses — now, that money has evaporated in the convenience of a political “crisis,” sunk into capital expenses and administrator salaries. The CEC and college executives cite “stability” as a rationale for refusing to bargain member demands – stability for whom? Prioritizing “stability” would have meant a negotiated settlement in 2024, and not further destabilizing students and workers with program closures and frontline cuts.

    Our lives are more important than financial projections or a bottom line. The employer is banking on using the crisis in our colleges as an opportunity to keep us divided and pass off a sub-par, renewal contract that will lock us into the insecurity and instability so many of us face now. 

    If we’re going to refuse to settle for scraps, we need to stand together – all 15,000 members strong. There is another path forward, with three main ingredients: the will to fight back, the unity of “us,” and the courage to try.

    We need every member to talk to your coworkers and make sure they’ve filled out their membership card! To get involved in the fight, contact caatsptbargainingteam@gmail.com directly. When we remember how to fight, we remember how to win. 

    In solidarity,

    Your College Support Part-Time Bargaining Team:

    Noor Askandar, L557, George Brown College, Chair (she/her)
    Sara McArthur, L241, Mohawk College, Vice-Chair (she/her)
    Doreen Follett, L416, Algonquin College (she/her)
    Torsten Hamelin, L557, George Brown College (he/him)
    Aliza Kassam, L557, George Brown College (she/her)
    Paula Naylor, L612, Sault College (she/her)
    Natalie Williams, L245, Sheridan College (she/her)

    Follow us on social media for regular updates:

    Instagram: @CollegeSupportPT Facebook: @CollegeSupportPT

    #MoreThanMinimum #NotaSideHustle #CollegesRunOnPTpower

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  • 2025/26 Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

    OPSEU/SEFPO 2025/26 Pre-Budget Submission to
    the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

    Introduction

    The Ontario Public Service Employes Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) represents 180,000 public sector workers in Ontario. OPSEU/SEFPO members work in the Ontario Public Service; in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and public schools; in Ontario’s hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulance services and public health units; in developmental services, child treatment centres, mental health agencies; in laboratories and blood services; in Ontario’s LCBO stores, warehouses and offices; and so many more public services that are pillars of this province.

    Our membership, and the people they provide service for, are directly affected by the decisions the provincial government makes in its budget.

    At their core, budgets are made up of choices. To those involved in developing the 2025 Ontario budget, on behalf of OPSEU/SEFPO’s 180,000 members, we urge you to strongly consider the real-life impacts of the financial decisions being made.

    This government’s past budget choices have been nothing short of financial mismanagement, the impacts of which are being felt in every community. The public services that Ontarians rely on are chronically underfunded and understaffed. Compared to other provinces, Ontario continues to come dead last in program spending per capita, an embarrassing fact that only hurts Ontarians and their communities.

    This government has touted its infrastructure investments – fostering relationships with developers and corporations for more privately owned and operated buildings – all the while making living and working conditions for the people of Ontario worse.  

    Every Ontarian understands that a hospital bed without health care workers providing care is nothing but furniture. The same can be said for all our public services – in our colleges, in developmental services and children’s aid, in correctional services, and in so many more areas, it is dedicated workers who make them function.

    It’s NOT “happening here”

    The Conservative government recently spent $8 million on ads[1] with the tagline, “It’s Happening Here,” depicting a thriving Ontario ‘where more people are going to work than ever before’ and ending with a visual of a family arriving at a giant smart-home few Ontarians could ever dream of affording.

    The reality of what’s happening in Ontario is far less rosy: a child dies every three days[2] under Ontario’s underfunded care system; food banks cannot keep up with demand as usage has reached an eight-year high[3]; and the unemployment rate has gone up during this government’s time in office. More than 595,600 people in Ontario were unemployed in October 2024 – 175,000 more than when Ford’s government was first elected in March 2018.

    Last year was also a record-breaking year for hospital emergency room closures[4] in Ontario, limiting critical access to timely medical care at a time that 2.5 million people in Ontario are without a family doctor.[5] 

    With the 2025 Budget, the government has an opportunity to change course and choose to address these crises and so many others by investing in the public services Ontarians rely on and the workers who deliver those services.

    Government (under)spending: A failure to invest in the services we rely on

    Ontarians are feeling as though their services are crumbling or disappearing, and there’s a reason: Ontario isn’t spending enough on our public services. In fact, we have the lowest per capita program spending in the country. A 2024 report from the Financial Accountability Office estimated that, in 2022-23, Ontario spent $3,338 less per capita on programs than the average of the other provinces. Put another way, this means that, with more than 16 million Ontarians, Ontario would have to spend more than $50 billion more on programs just to be average.

    What we’re seeing in the Ontario Public Service and across the broader public service is that after decades of neglect, many services cannot continue to run on the dedication and care of workers alone. Without adequate funding, those services – and the people who rely upon them – suffer.

    The public sector staffing crisis: A direct result of government underfunding

    There is a staff recruitment and retention crisis in every sector of public services in Ontario. This is a direct result of government underfunding those services. When a ministry or agency providing a public service is underfunded, it means they can’t hire enough staff to meet the demand for those services – and the demand for health care, education and other social services doesn’t decrease just because the government decreases funding for those services.

    The drastic understaffing of our public services has resulted in OPSEU/SEFPO members experiencing unmanageable workloads and dangerous working conditions, such as working alone or with too few people to handle potentially volatile situations. This leads to high levels of burnout, workplace injuries, or even deaths – continuing the vicious cycle of removing even more staff from the workplace.

    Government underfunding also leads to stagnant wages that don’t keep up with the cost of living, which, along with the downward spiral of understaffing and poor working conditions, fuels the recruitment and retention crisis as well.

    Privatization: Putting public funds into private pockets

    In contrast to the lack of funds available for vital services in our communities, the current Ontario government appears to have seemingly endless funds for shiny new projects that help enrich corporate friends.

    While our health care system is in crisis, Ontario hospitals and Long Term Care homes spent more than $1 billion using private staffing agencies[6] rather than being funded appropriately to retain staff with fair wages and working conditions.   

    The Ontario Place redevelopment – which will result in less public recreation space and a new giant spa and parking lot – will cost the public upwards of $2.24 billion.

    The Premier’s latest infrastructure idea – a tunnel under Highway 401 – would cost at least $55 billion[7] and cause years of traffic chaos with construction across the country’s largest city.

    And on the eve of an expected but unnecessary early election this year, the government will spend roughly $3 billion sending out $200 cheques to every Ontarian as part of a one-time-only “tax rebate” program.

    Throwing away revenues: Bleeding public services of funding

    In addition to reckless spending that puts public funds into private pockets, the Ford government has systematically reduced public revenues, which exacerbates the funding shortfall for our public services.

    Since the current government was elected in 2018, Ontario’s Ministry of Finance made dozens of policy changes that cut taxes, fees or paid out tax credits. Cumulatively, these changes are currently draining upwards of $7 billion annually from the provincial treasury.[8] 

    The LCBO, Ontario’s Crown Jewel, generates roughly $2.5 billion in public revenues that go directly towards public services and infrastructure. Yet this government has made it a priority to put those revenues at risk. The premier’s pet project of expanding alcohol sales to gas stations, convenience chains and more grocery stores has already come at a significant cost to the public and threatens future revenues. At the same time, it encourages more consumption of alcohol, a known carcinogen linked to adverse health and social outcomes.

    Last year, the government spent $225 million just to rip up the Master Framework Agreement with the Beer Store, a clear waste of money that could have been saved by waiting until the end of 2025. The Financial Accountability Office[9] is now looking to review this expansion and whether it was in the best interest of Ontarians.

    Falling affordability, rising inequality

    All of the political and financial choices outlined above (and their impacts) are ultimately making Ontario a less affordable and less equitable place to live.

    Healthy public services are essential to decrease social and economic inequality – both the gap between the poorest and richest, and the impact of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation and physical abilities.

    Properly funded public services are accessible to all and thus create equal opportunities for all members of communities. Having to pay for private services creates barriers to access and disadvantages those with lower incomes and undermines equal opportunity.

    Public services also make up much of the care economy, the workforce of which is disproportionately made up of racialized and women workers. Chronic underfunding has led to stagnant wages that have not kept up with the rising cost of living.

    Meanwhile, the wealth gap between the top 20 per cent and the bottom 40 per cent is now the highest it has been since Statistics Canada[10] began tracking it.

    Conclusion

    Budgets are made up of choices. With the 2025 budget, this government has an opportunity to change course and refocus its priorities to improve the lives of everyone living in this province. This year, the Minister of Finance can choose to fund public services properly and provide much-needed support to the frontline workers who keep those services going.

    [1] Crawley, Mike. “Ontario ad campaign ‘It’s Happening Here’ has cost taxpayers $8M”. CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-government-advertising-campaign-its-happening-here-1.7152383

    [2] Callan, Issac. “‘The system has fallen apart’: A child dies every 3 days under Ontario’s care network”. Global News. globalnews.ca/news/10735101/ontario-child-care-system-deaths/

    [3] D’Andrea, Aaron. “Ontario food banks ‘cannot keep up’ as usage reaches 8-year high.” Global News. globalnews.ca/news/10740211/ontario-food-bank-report/

    [4] Ireton, Julie and Valerie Ouellet. “2024 worst year for Ontario ER closures, CBC analysis finds.” CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/data-analysis-er-closures-three-years-2024-worst-year-for-scheduled-closures-1.7396789

    [5] Ireland, Nicole. “Number of Ontarians without family doctor reaches 2.5 million, college says”. CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-family-doctor-shortage-record-high-1.7261558

    [6] Jones, Allison. “Agency staff cost Ontario hospitals, LTC homes nearly $1B in 2023.” CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/hospital-ltc-agency-staff-1.7154329

    [7] Casaletto, Lucas and Richard Southern. “‘$55 billion’: Expert pegs ballpark cost of Ford’s Hwy. 401 tunnel proposal.” CityNews. toronto.citynews.ca/2024/09/27/ontario-highway-401-tunnel-costs-doug-ford/

    [8] Robinson, Randy. “Bleeding the patient: tracking five years of Ontario revenue reductions.” Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/bleeding-the-patient-tracking-five-years-of-ontario-revenue-reductions/

    [9] CBC News. “FAO to look at cost of Ontario expanding alcohol sales early.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fao-researching-cost-alcohol-sales-expansion-ontario-1.7324909

    [10] Statistics Canada. “Distributions of household economic accounts for income, consumption, saving and wealth of Canadian households, second quarter 2024.” www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241010/dq241010a-eng.htm

    Katie Arnup

  • Rights, Water and Reclamation: An Evening with Layla Staats in Region 3

    Equity advocacy within the labour movement begins with member education.

    Region 3 invites you to an evening dedicated to exploring the rights of our Indigenous siblings on February, 18 from 6:30 to 8:30pm on Zoom.

    You can register for the event here

    Together, we’ll delve into key issues such as reclamation, access to clean water, land protection, cultural preservation, and freedom of movement.

    This special event will feature the powerful voice of advocate and defender Layla Staats, who will share her storytelling, songs, and insights through her acclaimed documentary Blood & Water. Additionally, the evening will include impactful footage from Reconciliation at Gunpoint, a piece related to the Netflix documentary Yintah.

    Join us for an inspiring night of learning and connection as we amplify critical human rights issues. Together, we can deepen our understanding, stand in solidarity, and honour the experiences of those impacted by these injustices.

    This educational and networking event is brought to you in collaboration with:

    • PHRC Region 3 – Kris Weatherall
    • PWC Region 3 – Bonnie Eddy
    • CoRW Region 3 – Stacey Foster & Michael Hamilton
    • PFC Region 3 – Elsa Linton
    • RAA Region 3 – Lindsey Mosley
    • Indigenous Circle Region 3 – Tammy Carson and Jordyn Garner
    • PYC Region 3 – Bri Boyd
    • Region 3 RVP – Sara LaBelle
    • Region 3 EBM – Kelly Marin
    • Region 3 EBM – Joel Usher
    • Equity EBM – Tracey Ann Halkyard
    • Equity EBM – Kaylee Heath
    • Equity EBM – Crystal Garvey
    • OPSEU/SEFPO Local 304
    • OPSEU/SEFPO Local 377

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  • Rights, Water and Reclamation: An Evening with Layla Staats in Region 3

    Equity advocacy within the labour movement begins with member education.

    Region 3 invites you to an evening dedicated to exploring the rights of our Indigenous siblings on February, 18 from 6:30 to 8:30pm on Zoom.

    You can register for the event here

    Together, we’ll delve into key issues such as reclamation, access to clean water, land protection, cultural preservation, and freedom of movement.

    This special event will feature the powerful voice of advocate and defender Layla Staats, who will share her storytelling, songs, and insights through her acclaimed documentary Blood & Water. Additionally, the evening will include impactful footage from Reconciliation at Gunpoint, a piece related to the Netflix documentary Yintah.

    Join us for an inspiring night of learning and connection as we amplify critical human rights issues. Together, we can deepen our understanding, stand in solidarity, and honour the experiences of those impacted by these injustices.

    This educational and networking event is brought to you in collaboration with:

    • PHRC Region 3 – Kris Weatherall
    • PWC Region 3 – Bonnie Eddy
    • CoRW Region 3 – Stacey Foster & Michael Hamilton
    • PFC Region 3 – Elsa Linton
    • RAA Region 3 – Lindsey Mosley
    • Indigenous Circle Region 3 – Tammy Carson and Jordyn Garner
    • PYC Region 3 – Bri Boyd
    • Region 3 RVP – Sara LaBelle
    • Region 3 EBM – Kelly Marin
    • Region 3 EBM – Joel Usher
    • Equity EBM – Tracey Ann Halkyard
    • Equity EBM – Kaylee Heath
    • Equity EBM – Crystal Garvey
    • OPSEU/SEFPO Local 304
    • OPSEU/SEFPO Local 377

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  • How to elect pro-worker politicians: CLC launches inspiring playbook on the eve of two big elections

    By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor, inSolidarity

    With the rallying cry “Workers Together,” the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) hosted its first Political Action Conference on January 20-21, 2025, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The conference brought union members, activists, and leaders from across the country together to strategize, share, and inspire action for a more equitable future.

    Representing my local, OPSEU/SEFPO Local 351, I had the privilege of attending this impactful event.

    The CLC’s central message was clear: workers deserve a better deal. In a time when many Canadians juggle multiple jobs yet struggle to make ends meet, when retirement feels out of reach despite a lifetime of hard work, and when essential goods like groceries and housing are becoming increasingly unaffordable, it is more urgent than ever to unite and demand change.

    The CLC’s sharp critique of corporate greed resonated with all attendees. As big corporations hike prices to boost profits, governments continue to vote against measures that could make life more affordable. The message of the conference was a powerful reminder that workers power Canada’s economy, and we deserve respect.

    The conference introduced the Workers Together Playbook – a comprehensive toolkit designed to empower workers to engage in political action (https://workerstogether.ca/playbook).

    From canvassing to crafting impactful media narratives, the playbook provides practical steps for union members to influence elections and drive pro-worker policies. Participants were then invited to choose between two streams of workshops:

    1. Making Our Campaign Strategy Your Campaign Strategy: This session focused on building and implementing winning strategies to elect pro-worker candidates.
    2. Empowering Issue-Based Campaigners in Elections Campaigns: This workshop explored how to connect grassroots issue advocacy with broader political goals to drive meaningful change.

    In addition to these hands-on workshops, the conference featured inspiring speeches from notable leaders. Among the speakers were Jagmeet Singh, leader of the Federal NDP; Bea Bruske, President of the CLC; Laura Walton, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour; and Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. Each speaker emphasized the critical role of organized labour in holding governments and corporations accountable while championing solutions to Canada’s affordability crisis.

    Into action

    The conference wasn’t just about talk – it was about action. The energy in the room was palpable as participants discussed strategies to amplify pro-worker voices in government and to challenge policies that prioritize profits over people.
    OPSEU/SEFPO’s participation in this conference underscores our commitment to advancing the rights and interests of our members.

    The insights and strategies shared at the event will undoubtedly strengthen our union’s efforts to advocate for fair wages, affordable housing, and robust public services.

    As we move forward, let’s remember that together, we are stronger. The CLC’s Political Action Conference is a reminder that solidarity is our most powerful tool in the fight for a fairer, more just Canada.

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  • BloodLines Bargaining Bulletin: January 2025

    Your OPSEU/SEFPO CBS bargaining team has been busy meeting with the employer over the last four months, with dates on October 2-3 and December 3-4, 2024, and again on January 22 and 23, 2025.

    We have continued to emphasize the importance of meaningful increases to compensation to both recognize the critical work we do as well as to address the cost-of-living crisis. This is why, when we tabled our monetary demands on January 22, we included calls for increased wages, vacation, premiums and allowances and sick leave enhancements for full-time and part-time members. Additionally, our proposals centred around job protection, work-life balance, and other key issues that remain vital to improving working conditions and ensuring fair treatment for all of our members.

    While progress so far has been slow for this round of negotiations, we are committed to achieving the best possible deal for our entire bargaining unit. In pursuit of a fair deal, and following our bargaining dates on January 22-23, your bargaining team has made the decision to file for conciliation. We feel that this decision will move us towards a deal that our bargaining unit needs and deserves.

    Upcoming bargaining dates:

    Additional bargaining dates have been scheduled for February 26, March 26-27, and March 31-April 1, 2025.

    We will continue to update you as negotiations unfold and want to thank you for your continued solidarity and support.

    Update your contact info today!

    Make sure your information is up to date so you get all the latest bargaining info. Forward this email on to your fellow colleagues if they didn’t get it!

    If you have not filled out a member application form, you can do so here:
    https://hub03.opseu.org/Forms/emaweb

    If you have, you can register for or update your information on the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Portal:
    https://members.opseu.org/

    Instructions on how to create a Member Portal account and update your info can be found here:
    https://shorturl.at/V9QXL

    In solidarity,
    Your CBS Support Bargaining Team:

    Alberto Alvaro, Chair – albertoalvaro@live.ca
    Audrey Smith – anmsmith@hotmail.ca
    Alexis Victoria – alexis_v99@hotmail.com
    Brent MacPherson – bgmacpherson@hotmail.com
    Kevin Beresten – kberesten@gmail.com

    mlanglois

  • Thunder Bay Area Council’s First Event of 2025 “A Great Success”

    By Alexandrea Seggewiss, Local 715, inSolidarity Committee

    If you were at the Thunderwolves Hockey game on January 4, 2025, you might have noticed the sea of OPSEU/SEFPO “We Own It” noisemakers in the stands. The Thunder Bay and District Area Council (TBDAC) distributed over 150 tickets to members for the game, making it one of several exciting events planned for 2025.

    Members who picked up tickets were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which were donated to Isthmus Thunder Bay, a registered Canadian charity that helps feed hungry school children. Thanks to the generosity of members, over $1,000 worth of food was collected. “It was all possible because of the amazing people in Region 7,” said TBDAC 2nd Vice President Stefanie Bourelly.

    An event ticket held in front of colourful boxes of food.
    The Thunder Bay and District Area Council (TBDAC) gave out Thunderwolves tickets to everybody who donated food for Isthmus Thunder Bay.

    Article 22 of the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution gives locals in an area the right to join an Area Council to coordinate union activities such as political action, community involvement, education, and public relations. “TBDAC is a place to bring all locals in Region 7 together in one place,” explained Bourelly. The Council provides networking opportunities, support, and guidance to members while also planning engaging community events.

    The TBDAC executive includes members from any local in Region 7 and consists of five dedicated planners and organizers: Chair Jody Tsubouchi, 1st Vice President Dana Bruno, 2nd Vice President Stefanie Bourelly, Secretary Cara O’Brien, and Treasurer Owen Smith.

    Looking ahead, TBDAC has two exciting events lined up: a corn hole event and a family picnic. The corn hole event will take place the same weekend as Region 7’s Leadership Conference to encourage participation from members travelling from out of town. “We hope members will join us for a fun night,” said Bourelly.

    The family picnic, scheduled for July, is in the early planning stages but is already shaping up to continue its tradition as a beloved community event. “Every year, we have hundreds of people attend to enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, photo booths, games like balloon toss, hot food, sweet treats, and so much more,” said Bourelly. The event is offered at no cost to members, thanks to generous donations from Region 7 locals.

    In addition to hosting events, TBDAC holds virtual monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month via Zoom. These meetings provide updates and serve as educational platforms. For example, before last year’s Convention, a meeting was dedicated to reviewing proposed resolutions and constitutional amendments. “We took the time to learn about high-interest resolutions and allowed members to ask questions, so they could make informed decisions before voting on the convention floor,” said Bourelly.

    To stay updated on TBDAC’s events and activities, follow their Facebook page at Thunder Bay and District Area Council or join their mailing list by emailing R7TBDAC@gmail.com.

    apedersen

  • Joint union news conference: Labour leaders propose provincial tariff response

    OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick will be joining the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) for a joint union news conference to propose a provincial response to the upcoming tariff threatened by the United States President Donald Trump.

    OPSEU/SEFPO will be live streaming the event on its Instagram account. Follow us and tune in at 10am EDT to watch the news conference!

    Date: Monday, January 27, 2025

    Time: 10:00 a.m.

    Location: Civic Ballroom North, Sheraton Centre, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2M9

    Speakers:

    • Laura Walton (President, OFL);
    • Kevon Stewart (Director District 6, United Steelworkers);
    • JP Hornick (President, OPSEU/SEFPO);
    • Fred Hahn (President, CUPE Ontario);
    • Craig McDowell (Recording-Secretary UFCW 12r24) and
    • Erin Ariss (President, Ontario Nurses’ Association).

    kmahabir

  • Prepping for Convention: A recap of the 2025 Equity Gathering

    By Michael Hamilton, Local 376, inSolidarity Committee

    Every year in January, the OPSEU/SEFPO equity committees and caucus meet at the annual Equity Gathering.

    The gathering gives members from the various equity committees and caucus to collaborate with their fellow equity representatives to help develop constitutional amendments and resolutions which then will be brought to the OPSEU/SEFPO Convention. The gathering also offers the opportunity for the Equity Calls to Action to be further implemented within the OPSEU/SEFPO organization. The gathering also provides the opportunity for newly elected equity reps to connect and network with their fellow equity reps from the various committees and caucus.

    On the first day, each of the equity committees and caucus meet with their own individual groups to go over their proposed constitutional amendments and resolutions. Many key debates happen during these meetings because often, some of the equity committees will reach out to the other committees and caucus if they know they have an amendment or resolution that they can collaborate on when presenting it to the group at large.

    The second day consists of all of the equity groups and the caucus meeting together to go over some of the logistical items of the meeting.

    The OPSEU/SEFPO Equity committees and caucus consist of:

    • The Coalition of Racialized Workers (CoRW)
    • The Rainbow Alliance Arc En Ciel (RAA)
    • The Indigenous Circle
    • The Provincial Human Rights Committee (PHRC)
    • The Provincial Young Workers Committee (PYC)
    • The Provincial Women’s Committee (PWC)
    • The Provincial Francophone Committee
    • The Disability Rights Caucus (DRC)

    Seven people standing together in a conference room
    Indigenous Circle chair Krista Maracle (at the microphone, then left to right), Francophone Committee chair Linda Kuizenga, Young Workers Committee Vice-Chair Dana Lynne, Human Rights Committee chair TJ Taylor, Disability Rights Caucus co-chair Janet Farrow Ford, Disability Rights Caucus co-chair Janet Heyman, Coalition of Racialized Workers chair Carol Mundley, and Rainbow Alliance Arc En Ciel chair Billie Bridgewater.

    As one can imagine, the room is full of debate and how best the OPSEU/SEFPO Equity groups can achieve their goals of bringing more inclusivity to the union.

    The gathering also allowed the equity groups to receive an update from the Blueprint organization who was enlisted to help OPSEU/SEFPO with delivering our latest Social Mapping Project data. Blueprint ensured everyone that they would be satisfied with the final results from the survey. After the presentation, we then were able to have a mock Convention. The group always strives to enact a mock Convention so everyone in attendance has an idea as to how the business of Convention is conducted. Everything from voting on amendments and resolutions, amending parts of the agenda, quorum, challenging the chair, Roberts rules of order and speaking at a FOR or a CON mic are demonstrated to the Equity reps in the room.

    To wrap up on the final day, the Equity reps make a concerted effort to go over all of the amendments and resolutions that were submitted. There is also a conversation about reaching out to locals, area councils and executive board members to encourage them to support the various motions that will be presented to the delegation at Convention.

    We leave knowing that the OPSEU/SEFPO Equity Reps have a clear focus on what the group would like to be presented and that the delegation at large will continue to support equity initiatives.

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  • College Faculty bargaining update: Mediation-arbitration dates and the road ahead

    Bargaining Bulletin 21

    On January 7th, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the College Employer Council (CEC), securing agreed-to items and committing the parties to resolve all outstanding items in mediation-arbitration.

    The parties have now booked dates – June 14-16, 2025 – for mediation-arbitration with Arbitrator William Kaplan. This process will determine the terms and conditions of our new collective agreement, including wages.

    The current MOA in place is not a new collective agreement – until mediation-arbitration concludes, the terms and conditions of our previous agreement remain in place, with the exception of improvements to benefits for full-time members and breakthrough benefit gains for partial-load members (as outlined in the MOA.)

    Why mediation-arbitration?

    The process of mediation-arbitration facilitates further dialogue between parties; should the parties fail to reach agreement on particular items, the process can evolve into binding-interest arbitration where outstanding items are ruled on by an Arbitrator.

    After careful consideration of all factors – including indicators confidential to the mediation process and the political climate – we are confident that this decision will result in the best possible deal for faculty this round, and a timely settlement. 

    Laying the foundation for the fight

    Through our collective muscle, we were able to push some key concessions off the table – including extensions to the academic year, two-tiering workload language for non-post-secondary programs and new hires, and increases to the maximum course assignment.

    We weren’t able to move every concession off the table – in particular, changes which add a probationary period and affect access to the registry for partial-load members; adding “accreditation” and “credential” language to employment security provisions, increasing employment instability; and the removal of teaching contact hours (TCHs) for asynchronous courses. This does not mean that these concessions will remain. We have counter proposals to many outstanding concessions, and our work at the table is not complete. 

    Over the coming months, the bargaining team – with the support of OPSEU/SEFPO staff and legal counsel – will prepare submissions for mediation-arbitration, expressly aimed at fighting back remaining concessions and improving our wages and working conditions. 

    Our organizing work also continues: we cannot relent in our fight for a better college system and the provincial core funding needed to stabilize the system, decades past due. That fight is won in the workplace through a unified and engaged membership and sector, not just the bargaining table.

    Premier Ford can gloat that “Ontario is not for sale” all he wants – in reality, he’s been ready to sell off Ontario’s public assets, including our colleges, to private interests for years.

    Our colleges have been guided away from their core mandate as public, community institutions tasked with training Ontario’s future labour force. Together we can – and will – bring them back.

    Solidarity,

    Your CAAT-A Bargaining Team:

    Ravi Ramkissoonsingh, L242, Chair (he/him)
    Michelle Arbour, L125, Acting-Chair (she/her)
    Chad Croteau, L110 (he/him)
    Bob Delaney, L237 (he/him)
    Martin Lee, L415 (he/him)
    Sean Lougheed, L657 (he/him)
    Rebecca Ward, L732 (she/her)

    Reviewing our bargaining timeline:

    July 1, 2024 – Union gives notice to bargain (90 days ahead of contract expiry)

    July 22-26, 2024 – Bargaining begins

    July 29-30, 2024 – Bargaining; at this point, all faculty non-monetary proposals tabled

    September 9-10, 2024 – Bargaining

    September 16-20, 2024 – Bargaining; faculty monetary proposal tabled

    September 23-29, 2024 – Bargaining

    October 1, 2024 – Bargaining

    October 8, 2024 – First day of conciliation

    October 15, 2024 – Conciliation continues

    October 15-18, 2024 – Members deliver historic strike mandate

    October 28, 2024 – Conciliation continues; union tables comprehensive offer of settlement, CEC responds by maintaining all but one concession

    November 5, 2024 – Conciliation continues

    December 6-8, 2024 – Non-binding mediation begins

    December 12, 2024 – Union requests “no board” report

    January 3, 2025 – Union issues five-day notice of labour action, setting strike deadline for January 9, 2025

    January 6-7, 2025 – Mediation continues

    January 7, 2025 – Following progress at the table, the parties signed an MOA enshrining agreed-to items and sending all outstanding items to mediation-arbitration

    June 14-16, 2025 – The parties will enter mediation-arbitration with Arbitrator William Kaplan

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  • OPSEU/SEFPO 2025/26 Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

    Introduction

    The Ontario Public Service Employes Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) represents 180,000 public sector workers in Ontario. OPSEU/SEFPO members work in the Ontario Public Service; in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and public schools; in Ontario’s hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulance services and public health units; in developmental services, child treatment centres, mental health agencies; in laboratories and blood services; in Ontario’s LCBO stores, warehouses and offices; and so many more public services that are pillars of this province.

    Our membership, and the people they provide service for, are directly affected by the decisions the provincial government makes in its budget.

    At their core, budgets are made up of choices. To those involved in developing the 2025 Ontario budget, on behalf of OPSEU/SEFPO’s 180,000 members, we urge you to strongly consider the real-life impacts of the financial decisions being made.

    This government’s past budget choices have been nothing short of financial mismanagement, the impacts of which are being felt in every community. The public services that Ontarians rely on are chronically underfunded and understaffed. Compared to other provinces, Ontario continues to come dead last in program spending per capita, an embarrassing fact that only hurts Ontarians and their communities.

    This government has touted its infrastructure investments – fostering relationships with developers and corporations for more privately owned and operated buildings – all the while making living and working conditions for the people of Ontario worse.

    Every Ontarian understands that a hospital bed without health care workers providing care is nothing but furniture. The same can be said for all our public services – in our colleges, in developmental services and children’s aid, in correctional services, and in so many more areas, it is dedicated workers who make them function.

    It’s NOT “happening here”

    The Conservative government recently spent $8 million on ads[1] with the tagline, “It’s Happening Here,” depicting a thriving Ontario ‘where more people are going to work than ever before’ and ending with a visual of a family arriving at a giant smart-home few Ontarians could ever dream of affording.

    The reality of what’s happening in Ontario is far less rosy: a child dies every three days[2] under Ontario’s underfunded care system; food banks cannot keep up with demand as usage has reached an eight-year high[3]; and the unemployment rate has gone up during this government’s time in office. More than 595,600 people in Ontario were unemployed in October 2024 – 175,000 more than when Ford’s government was first elected in March 2018.

    Last year was also a record-breaking year for hospital emergency room closures[4] in Ontario, limiting critical access to timely medical care at a time that 2.5 million people in Ontario are without a family doctor.[5]

    With the 2025 Budget, the government has an opportunity to change course and choose to address these crises and so many others by investing in the public services Ontarians rely on and the workers who deliver those services.

    Government (under)spending: A failure to invest in the services we rely on

    Ontarians are feeling as though their services are crumbling or disappearing, and there’s a reason: Ontario isn’t spending enough on our public services. In fact, we have the lowest per capita program spending in the country. A 2024 report from the Financial Accountability Office estimated that, in 2022-23, Ontario spent $3,338 less per capita on programs than the average of the other provinces. Put another way, this means that, with more than 16 million Ontarians, Ontario would have to spend more than $50 billion more on programs just to be average.

    What we’re seeing in the Ontario Public Service and across the broader public service is that after decades of neglect, many services cannot continue to run on the dedication and care of workers alone. Without adequate funding, those services – and the people who rely upon them – suffer.

    The public sector staffing crisis: A direct result of government underfunding

    There is a staff recruitment and retention crisis in every sector of public services in Ontario. This is a direct result of government underfunding those services. When a ministry or agency providing a public service is underfunded, it means they can’t hire enough staff to meet the demand for those services – and the demand for health care, education and other social services doesn’t decrease just because the government decreases funding for those services.

    The drastic understaffing of our public services has resulted in OPSEU/SEFPO members experiencing unmanageable workloads and dangerous working conditions, such as working alone or with too few people to handle potentially volatile situations. This leads to high levels of burnout, workplace injuries, or even deaths – continuing the vicious cycle of removing even more staff from the workplace.

    Government underfunding also leads to stagnant wages that don’t keep up with the cost of living, which, along with the downward spiral of understaffing and poor working conditions, fuels the recruitment and retention crisis as well.

    Privatization: Putting public funds into private pockets

    In contrast to the lack of funds available for vital services in our communities, the current Ontario government appears to have seemingly endless funds for shiny new projects that help enrich corporate friends.

    While our health care system is in crisis, Ontario hospitals and Long Term Care homes spent more than $1 billion using private staffing agencies[6] rather than being funded appropriately to retain staff with fair wages and working conditions.

    The Ontario Place redevelopment – which will result in less public recreation space and a new giant spa and parking lot – will cost the public upwards of $2.24 billion.

    The Premier’s latest infrastructure idea – a tunnel under Highway 401 – would cost at least $55 billion[7] and cause years of traffic chaos with construction across the country’s largest city.

    And on the eve of an expected but unnecessary early election this year, the government will spend roughly $3 billion sending out $200 cheques to every Ontarian as part of a one-time-only “tax rebate” program.

    Throwing away revenues: Bleeding public services of funding

    In addition to reckless spending that puts public funds into private pockets, the Ford government has systematically reduced public revenues, which exacerbates the funding shortfall for our public services.

    Since the current government was elected in 2018, Ontario’s Ministry of Finance made dozens of policy changes that cut taxes, fees or paid out tax credits. Cumulatively, these changes are currently draining upwards of $7 billion annually from the provincial treasury.[8]

    The LCBO, Ontario’s Crown Jewel, generates roughly $2.5 billion in public revenues that go directly towards public services and infrastructure. Yet this government has made it a priority to put those revenues at risk. The premier’s pet project of expanding alcohol sales to gas stations, convenience chains and more grocery stores has already come at a significant cost to the public and threatens future revenues. At the same time, it encourages more consumption of alcohol, a known carcinogen linked to adverse health and social outcomes.

    Last year, the government spent $225 million just to rip up the Master Framework Agreement with the Beer Store, a clear waste of money that could have been saved by waiting until the end of 2025. The Financial Accountability Office[9] is now looking to review this expansion and whether it was in the best interest of Ontarians.

    Falling affordability, rising inequality

    All of the political and financial choices outlined above (and their impacts) are ultimately making Ontario a less affordable and less equitable place to live.

    Healthy public services are essential to decrease social and economic inequality – both the gap between the poorest and richest, and the impact of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation and physical abilities.

    Properly funded public services are accessible to all and thus create equal opportunities for all members of communities. Having to pay for private services creates barriers to access and disadvantages those with lower incomes and undermines equal opportunity.

    Public services also make up much of the care economy, the workforce of which is disproportionately made up of racialized and women workers. Chronic underfunding has led to stagnant wages that have not kept up with the rising cost of living.

    Meanwhile, the wealth gap between the top 20 per cent and the bottom 40 per cent is now the highest it has been since Statistics Canada[10] began tracking it.

    Conclusion

    Budgets are made up of choices. With the 2025 budget, this government has an opportunity to change course and refocus its priorities to improve the lives of everyone living in this province. This year, the Minister of Finance can choose to fund public services properly and provide much-needed support to the frontline workers who keep those services going.

    Footnotes

    [1] Crawley, Mike. “Ontario ad campaign ‘It’s Happening Here’ has cost taxpayers $8M”. CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-government-advertising-campaign-its-happening-here-1.7152383

    [2] Callan, Issac. “‘The system has fallen apart’: A child dies every 3 days under Ontario’s care network”. Global News. globalnews.ca/news/10735101/ontario-child-care-system-deaths/

    [3] D’Andrea, Aaron. “Ontario food banks ‘cannot keep up’ as usage reaches 8-year high.” Global News. globalnews.ca/news/10740211/ontario-food-bank-report/

    [4] Ireton, Julie and Valerie Ouellet. “2024 worst year for Ontario ER closures, CBC analysis finds.” CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/data-analysis-er-closures-three-years-2024-worst-year-for-scheduled-closures-1.7396789

    [5] Ireland, Nicole. “Number of Ontarians without family doctor reaches 2.5 million, college says”. CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-family-doctor-shortage-record-high-1.7261558

    [6] Jones, Allison. “Agency staff cost Ontario hospitals, LTC homes nearly $1B in 2023.” CBC News. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/hospital-ltc-agency-staff-1.7154329

    [7] Casaletto, Lucas and Richard Southern. “‘$55 billion’: Expert pegs ballpark cost of Ford’s Hwy. 401 tunnel proposal.” CityNews. toronto.citynews.ca/2024/09/27/ontario-highway-401-tunnel-costs-doug-ford/

    [8] Robinson, Randy. “Bleeding the patient: tracking five years of Ontario revenue reductions.” Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/bleeding-the-patient-tracking-five-years-of-ontario-revenue-reductions/

    [9] CBC News. “FAO to look at cost of Ontario expanding alcohol sales early.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fao-researching-cost-alcohol-sales-expansion-ontario-1.7324909

    [10] Statistics Canada. “Distributions of household economic accounts for income, consumption, saving and wealth of Canadian households, second quarter 2024.” www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241010/dq241010a-eng.htm

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