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Practice your French with Us by Zoom
The Provincial Francophone Committee is delighted to announce the launch of our new Zoom evening series: Practice your French with Us by Zoom !!
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, these evenings are designed to help improve your French skills in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Evening calendar and themes:
- Wednesday, October 23, 2024 @ 7 p.m. – Discovery of francophone artists
Details of the first evening:
- Title: Practice Your French with Us – 2nd evening
- Theme: Discovery of francophone artists
- Date: October 23, 2024
- Time: 7 p.m.
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The Social Mapping Survey is coming next week!
The Social Mapping Project (SMP) is a ground-breaking demographic survey and review of OPSEU/SEFPO membership systems. The project will help us identify gaps and barriers and provide ideas for how to make our union more inclusive.
A core part of the project is the Social Mapping Survey, which is launching next week.
Check your inbox on October 7th!
You will receive an email on Tuesday, October 7th with a unique link to fill out the survey anonymously.
The email will come from “Survey team Blueprint équipe sondage” and the email address evaluation@blueprint-ade.ca.
The email will look like this:
By participating in this survey you’ll be taking action to make sure that the union reflects you.
Knowledge is power, and gaining a better understanding of our membership will help us build a more powerful union. It will also help us identify policies and issues that most impact our members.
Plus, there are some fun prizes to be won too!
For more information on the SMP, including Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers) click here.
More information on incentives and a tool kit to help promote the survey will be shared after it launches.
In solidarity,
The Social Mapping Committee
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College Faculty (CAAT-A) – College President Contact List
In the event of a strike, community solidarity can help strengthen its impact. The stronger a strike, the higher the likelihood it will be a shorter one. Students and community members are encouraged to email concerns to their College President now to help us build pressure and avert a labour disruption this semester! Find your College President contact in the list below:
Algonquin
Claude Brulé, President
president@algonquincollege.comBoréal
Daniel Giroux, President
presidence@collegeboreal.caCambrian
Kristine Morrissey, President
president@cambriancollege.caCanadore
George Burton, President
George.Burton@canadorecollege.caCentennial
Craig Stephenson, President
cstephenson@centennialcollege.caConestoga
John Tibbits, President
jtibbits@conestogac.on.caConfederation
Michelle Salo, President
michelle.salo@confederationcollege.caDurham
Elaine Popp, President
Manager, Office of the President – Hannah.Williams@durhamcollege.caFanshawe
Peter Devlin, President
president@fanshawec.caFleming
Maureen Adamson, President
president@flemingcollege.caGeorge Brown
Gervan Fearon, President
president@georgebrown.caGeorgian
Kevin Weaver, President
president@georgiancollege.caHumber
Ann Marie Vaughan, President
president@humber.caLa Cité
Lise Bourgeois, President
president@lacitec.on.caLambton
Robert J. Kardas, President
rob.kardas@lambtoncollege.caLoyalist
Mark Kirkpatrick, President
president@loyalistcollege.comMohawk
Paul Armstrong, President
president@mohawkcollege.caNiagara
Sean Kennedy, President
president@niagaracollege.caNorthern
Mitch Dumas, President
president@northern.on.caSault
David Orazietti, President
president@saultcollege.caSeneca
David Agnew, President
president@senecapolytechnic.caSheridan
Janet Morrison, President
president@sheridancollege.caSt. Clair
Michael Silvaggi, President
msilvaggi@stclaircollege.caSt. Lawrence
Glenn Vollebregt, President
president@sl.on.ca -
Highlights from the Indigenous Circle’s 3rd Water Summit
The Indigenous Circle’s Water Campaign Committee hosted their 3rd Water Summit last week in Region 1. The three-day summit was organized in partnership with the Onedia Nation of the Thames. It also followed the Grassy Narrow’s River Run which took place the week before. OPSEU/SEFPO members who attended the Water Summit heard from Elders, community leaders, and youth who, in many ways, are leading the charge in the fight for all our lives – after all, water is life. What many of us may take for granted, comes at a cost to others. But, why?
Indigenous communities across Ontario and Canada continue to be denied access to safe and clean water. While both the federal and provincial government label this as a “boil water advisory” issue, it is far from the truth. The waterways like that of the Wabigoon River, which Grassy Narrows First Nation relies on, is contaminated, deadly toxic and not safe to consume or handle. Polluters and corporations like the paper and pulp mill that poisoned the Wabigoon River continue to benefit with little to no impact to their lives or their bottom line.
After years of trying to draw attention and seek justice, Grassy Narrows Frist Nation launched, in June of this year, a landmark lawsuit against the governments of Ontario and Canada.
This is just one example of environmental racism, a direct by-product of colonialism which continues the present-day genocide of Indigenous people. Why have our governments normalized a lesser standard of living for some than others?
On day one of the conference, Sarah Jayne Kendall, Community Engagement Director from Water First a non-profit organization working with Indigenous communities, spoke about local water challenges. Sarah Jayne shared that reserves compose only 0.5% of Canada’s land mass but contain 29% of federally contaminated sites. Water First’s work directly creates sustainable solutions as a community partner in addressing the water crisis. Their work continues to make an impact in communities like Whitefish River First Nation on Manitoulin Island. However, this work and burden cannot fall alone on non-governmental organizations like Water First.
You can take action! Did you know that drinking water and sanitation are recognized globally as a human right but not legally enshrined in Canada? Water Watchers has launched a petition calling on the federal government to legally recognize the human right to water. Sign the petition and join the growing number of people who have already added their name. It is co-sponsored by Indigenous leaders like Layla Staats, who is no stranger to OPSEU/SEFPO. During the summit, Layla shared her journey as a water and land defender and spoke about her path to reclaiming her language, culture and connection to water.
OPSEU/SEFPO had the privilege of being a guest at the Oneida Nation territory where Chief Todd Cornelius accepted the hand of friendship, mutual respect and the spirit of partnership with President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell. In his address, Chief Cornelius spoke stoically about the responsibilities he carries for his community and the ongoing injustice they continue to face, particularly when it comes to accessing water. The resolve and generosity of Chief Cornelius and the people of the Oneida Nation is a reminder that we must now uphold our commitments and work on our responsibilities as settlers.
Two other powerful voices from the Oneida Nation, were those of MaryAnn Kechogo and Kristi White. They both shared their childhood experiences and their current realities of not having access to safe and clean water. MaryAnn shared that her family was on a “boil water advisory” for more than 18 years while growing up on the Oneida Nation. When she was asked by a participant during the session if she thinks the Oneida Nation will ever have access to safe and clean drinking water, MaryAnn replied “I don’t believe this will happen in my lifetime – these promises have been made and broken before”. At that moment, the room went silent, as MaryAnn reminded everyone that our actions must speak louder than our words. During Kristi’s moving remarks, Kristi asked participants “how many of you, when you go to your friends’ houses even ask if the water is drinkable? Is that part of your safety planning of everyday?”
If this isn’t your reality, does it matter?
Summit participants spent day three working in groups to discuss and strategize what actions and role the labour movement and each of us as individuals can do to address the water crisis and walk the path towards reconciliation.
Key action strategies include:
- Organize! Province wide labour campaign to address the water crisis
- Advocate & legislate! Push our local elected officials, to make this a priority!
- Language Matters! Learning and educating ourselves, our friends, families, workplaces and beyond to use the right language
- Amplify! Join and support the various Indigenous-led campaigns and spring our union muscles into actions!
These are some highlights of the action-oriented discussion that participants held before the water summit concluded. As a next step, the Water Campaign Committee will put together a workplan and strategy. In the meantime, connect with members of the Indigenous Circle in your region and get involved!
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Social Mapping Survey – Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I participate?
The Social Mapping Survey is a fundamentally important project for OPSEU/SEFPO. The survey is conducted every five years as per OPSEU/SEFPO Policy. The union recognizes that the ever-changing demographic of the membership needs to be surveyed regularly. The information we get from members during this process will identify gaps and barriers and inform changes we need to make to ensure the union meets the needs of everyone.
By participating in this survey you’ll be taking action to make sure that the union reflects you.
Knowledge is power, and gaining a better understanding of our membership will help us build a more powerful union. It will also help us identify policies and issues that most impact our members.
Plus, there are some fun prizes to be won too! More information is below.
Why do I need to complete the survey?
This question really gets to the heart of the Social Mapping Project! The goal of this survey is to better understand who OPSEU/SEFPO members are in their fullest sense: what barriers they are facing, what is working for them and what isn’t. This is to update OPSEU/SEFPO’s policies, inform the strategic plan and increase access to resources to better serve all members. With an eye to removing barriers.
How will I receive the survey?
If you have registered or updated your information in the OPSEU/SEFPO member portal, or completed an electronic membership application (EMA), you will receive your unique individual link to the online survey in an email from Blueprint, the research partner for the Social Mapping Project on Monday, October 7, 2024. If you don’t receive it, please check your spam folder. Below are screenshots of the Blueprint email:
What if I don’t have an email address, access to internet or have difficulty accessing the survey?
The survey is available in alternative formats and methods to ensure accessible participation. This includes a paper survey, interview via telephone among others. For more information, please contact the Blueprint team. Their contact info is below.
Who is Blueprint and what do they do?
Blueprint is a non-profit, mission-driven organization founded on the idea that evidence is a powerful tool for change. They work with policymakers and practitioners to generate and use evidence to solve complex policy and program challenges. Blueprint has research expertise in workforce development and employment services, income security, youth development and well-being, community safety and well-being, gender and sexual diversity and equity, and housing and homelessness.
Blueprint researchers believe in leveraging multiple methods and approaches to gather and synthesize data, to provide rich and more in-depth insights into the issues they tackle with their clients. Furthermore, mixed methods ensure that they imbricate their research with an equity lens, understanding that some data collection methods favour certain groups over others.
Why am I receiving an individual link instead of a general one?
Using individual survey links is a good research practice to ensure data quality. Based on best practices, risks to data quality have increased when using general survey links (i.e. increase in robots or automated responses to gain incentives, increase in survey duplicates, or increase in detractors actively trying to skew data). Individual links help to ensure that responses are from OPSEU/SEFPO members only, and that they receive just one response from each member.
Using individual survey links is also helpful for the response rate. The secure survey platform Blueprint uses, Qualtrics will send automated reminders to those who have not completed surveys without Blueprint researchers needing to access individual responses. This ensures that your identity and responses remain confidential.
Can I share the survey link I receive with others?
The survey link you receive is unique and can only be used by you. As this is not a general link, it is not meant to be shared broadly. Once you have completed the survey that link will no longer be active.
If I don’t complete the survey in one sitting, is that data still captured, and can I finish at another time?
Yes, and yes! Although it is highly recommended that you complete the survey in one sitting, you don’t have to do so. If you complete the survey partially, all the inputted data will still be saved. When you come back to the survey at another time, you can resume where you left off.
What is the deadline to submit the survey?
The deadline to submit the survey is now November 25.
What are you going to do with the collected survey data? Will all members be able to get a breakdown of the results at a regional, local, and sector level?
The goal is for the survey data results to be broken down by a regional, local and sector level. The data will be analyzed and presented to the OPSEU/SEFPO SMS Committee and Task Force in the new year. Blueprint will present the finalized survey findings and recommendations at the OPSEU/SEFPO Convention in April 2025.
What are you going to do with my data and how are you going to protect it?
Blueprint will be responsible for data collection, analysis and reporting to protect your privacy and confidentiality. The survey data Blueprint collects from you will not be associated with your email or any other identifying information.
The survey data will be stored on Blueprint’s secured encrypted server, accessible to only the core Blueprint team members working on this project. Once they have analyzed the data, Blueprint will present aggregate findings (i.e. a collection of responses) to OPSEU/SEFPO, with zero identifying information attached. After the project is over, Blueprint will destroy all member data from their server securely.
Who is going to see my answers to the survey questions?
Only Blueprint’s core research team working on this project will have access to individual responses, but your answers to the survey questions will not be associated with your email or any other identifying information. Blueprint’s commitment to ethical research practices ensures that when they share data outside their team, no individual responses will be linked to any identifying information. Therefore, nothing you share, whether in survey or interview, or through an email, phone call or other form, will impact your relationship with your union, your colleagues, your employer or anyone else.
How can I help spread the word?
We are producing a tool kit which will include shareable graphics and template emails/social posts to help spread the word amongst your coworkers, locals, and other union gatherings and communications.
We encourage members to think creatively about how to spread the word about the importance of the Social Mapping Survey and to encourage others to get involved. On Instagram or TikTok? We want to see your reels!
Are there any incentives for participating?
Yes! Blueprint will be conducting a weekly draw of survey participants towards a credit of $100 for the OPSEU/SEFPO Shop throughout the period of data collection.
When the survey closes there will be a draw for four grand prize winners. There will be three prizes at a value of $300 each and one grand prize valued at $1,000.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions related to the OPSEU/SEFPO member portal, including registration and updating your information, please contact memberportal@opseu.org or your local leaders.
If you have questions about the survey, including support needed and opportunities to complete it in alternative ways, please contact the Blueprint researchers below:
Sheetal Lodhia, Senior Associate, Blueprint, email slodhia@blueprint-ade.ca, Tel: 226-979-6364
(English, French)Jing Chong, Senior Associate, Blueprint, email: jchong@blueprint-ade.ca, Tel: 905-730-5091
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Region 1 Weekend Educational, Nov 9-10
The Region 1 Weekend Educational will take place Nov 9 and Nov 10 at the OPSEU/SEFPO London Membership Centre.
Dates:
- Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, 9 am – 5 pm
- Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, 9 am – 1 pm
Location:
- OPSEU/SEFPO London Membership Centre, 1092 Dearness Dr., London ON N6E 1N9
Forms:
Advanced Grievance Handling for Union Building
Does your local have a grievance committee? Can your experience in handling a grievance help to build the local? Can you use your knowledge of common grievance issues to raise awareness at demand setting meetings? Have you ever thought of what it is like to be on the Employer side of the table? These are some of the topics that will be explored in the Advanced Grievance Handling for Union Building course. You will also get the opportunity to practice being on the Union’s Team and the Employer’s Team as you work through some scenarios. Building on the Basic Grievance Handling for Union Building course, this course focuses on expanding both the steward’s and Local’s ability to process grievances from start to finish. Through active interviewing process, participants will explore how to identify grievances, practice negotiating settlements, and draft realistic, enforceable grievance settlements.
Participants should bring their Collective Agreements to the course.
Cross-Cultural Communication at Work: A Union Perspective
In our workplaces, unions, and communities, we experience daily interactions with diverse groups including co- workers, and our fellow union members. There are moments when these interactions lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding about cultural expressions and social cues. In order to work through some of these communication challenges, an introductory course, Cross-Cultural Communication, has been designed. Participants will work through case scenarios to develop strategies designed to improve their cross-cultural communication.
Political Action for Union Activists
What do you know about the political climate in your municipality, in Ontario, in Canada? How do you get insights into the current issues in your community? What is your confidence level when speaking to someone about a possibly controversial political issue? Can you use your power of communication to raise awareness of a subject that is making an impact on your life? Do you know the players in the political arena? How do you find the right persons to speak with? These are some of the topics that will be covered in this course. You will share insights, and get the tools needed to build your union and communities. You will also develop strategies for engaging your members, campaigning, and lobbying politicians.
Taking Action on Workplace Stress
Is your work stressing you out? If so, you’re not alone. In Canada, one in four workers report feeling highly stressed at work. Factors such as excessive demands, lack of control, precarious work, inadequate resources and support, and workplace bullying and harassment can all take their toll on the well-being of workers. Participants will be able to identify workplace factors that negatively affect workers’ health and wellbeing and gain familiarity with terminology associated with workplace stress. The course will help to develop strategies for influencing change in the workplace as well as examine ways to work with your Union to address and resolve workplace stress issues.
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Sector 10 Hospital Professionals Provincial Demand-Setting Meeting, Nov 14-15
The Sector 10 Hospital Professionals Provincial Demand-Setting Meeting has been scheduled.
Dates:
- Thursday, November 14, 2024, 9 am to 5 pm
- Friday, November 15, 2024, 9 am to 5 pm
Hotel:
- Courtyard by Marriott 200 Coventry Road Ottawa, ON, K1K 4S3, 613-741-9862
- Single rate
- $169 +taxes (King)
- $189 +taxes (Two Queens)
Meeting Room:
- 106 ABCD, Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Rd
Registration:
- Thursday, November 14, 2024, 8 am – 9 am
- Friday, November 15, 2024, 8 am – 9:00 am
Registration deadline:
- Monday, Oct 14
Parking
- Complimentary
- *Note: valet parking receipts are not a reimbursable claim.
Please note: This is a hybrid event. If you elect to attend virtually, one week prior to the event a Zoom link with instructions will be sent to you. No expenses outside of time off (if required) will be reimbursed unless otherwise pre-approved. Meals for virtual participants are not covered. To inquire about pre-approval, please email conferencesandtravel@opseu.org.
Delegate Entitlement
As per Article 2 of the Hospital Professional’s Division Negotiation Procedures: Article 2.3
Each Division bargaining unit shall be entitled to send two (2) delegates to the Pre- Bargaining Conference (PBC) and provincial demand-setting meeting. (They shall be, except in extenuating circumstances, the same two delegates). Where the bargaining unit is a single-unit Local, the Local President (or in their absence, the Local Vice-President) shall be the automatic first delegate. For all other bargaining units, the highest-ranking officer in the unit shall be the automatic first delegate. The second delegate shall be elected by greater than fifty percent (50%) of the valid ballots cast of the members voting at a general membership meeting of the Unit. In the event that the officers entitled to be automatic first delegate are unable to attend the provincial demand setting meeting, then both delegates shall be elected. Delegates must be members of the bargaining unit that they are representing at the demand set.
Delegates to both meetings shall be responsible for representing their Unit during the bargaining process, including responsibility for reading, reviewing, summarizing and communicating bargaining information at the Bargaining Unit level.
Article 2.6
Any member of the Division Executive or Central Negotiating Team who is not entitled to attend the PBC under Section 2.3 above shall also be entitled to attend with full delegate status.
Article 2.8
An Executive Board member who is a member of the Division may attend with voice but no vote, unless the Executive Board member is a delegate from a Member Unit.
Credential Attestation Form
The OPSEU/SEFPO Procedures Manual (Section 2.5) states two (2) signatures are required on all delegate credentials. We have provided one form for you to list all attendees on. The Credential Attestation Form must be signed by two (2) Local Officers.
Please clearly identify your status, i.e. Delegate/Alternate/Observer.
Note: other required forms cannot be processed until this form is received.
Any alternate(s) and observers accompanying delegates are at the Local’s expense. Head Office will cover an alternate’s expense only where the alternate attends instead of and in place of the Delegate. Please note that alternates, like delegates, must be elected.
Hotel Room Bookings
In accordance with the OPSEU/SEFPO Policy Manual (Section 4.2), any member who resides further than 60 kilometers from the event may request that OPSEU/SEFPO make their hotel reservation on their behalf by completing the Hotel Registration section when registering for the event in the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Portal.
OPSEU/SEFPO will be booking all hotel rooms centrally. Delegates will be reimbursed for single room hotel accommodation.
Members are also responsible for payment of their hotel room upon check out as there are no charges billed back to OPSEU/SEFPO. Please save your itemized receipt and submit it with your Membership Expense Claim Form.
Please also notify the Conferences Unit of any special accessibility needs that you may have with respect to your hotel room.
Any additional nights outside of this policy must be pre-approved by the Conferences Unit, regardless of Region or distance from the event.
OPSEU/SEFPO Travel Policy
As per OPSEU/SEFPO policy (Section 4.2 7.1), the most economical means of transportation should be used. All delegates are to make their own travel arrangements. As per OPSEU/SEFPO policy, you are directed to use unionized providers where available. Please note all Membership Expense Claim submissions require itemized receipts.
Human Rights Accommodation Request Form
Should you require a human rights accommodation or have an existing accommodation under the Human Rights Code, please complete and submit the Human Rights Accommodation Request Form in full.
Family, Dependent and Attendant Care are covered expenses for this event for those who require it at the event or at home
OPSEU/SEFPO Child Care Policy
OPSEU/SEFPO undertakes to provide child care services, when requested, at all union educationals, conventions, regional, divisional, and demand-setting meetings where the membership requests at least three weeks prior to the event. Members who bring their children to OPSEU/SEFPO sponsored functions should normally be required to use the on- site child care service if it is available. The three-week notice will ensure adequate time to process advances when requested. If no requests for on-site child care are received three weeks prior to the activity date, child care arrangements for on-site child care may not be made. If members then bring children to the event without the required notice, the member should be responsible for making his/her own child care arrangements.
Forms
Members are to complete their Event Registration, Hotel Booking and Child Care Registration through OPSEU/SEFPO’s Member Portal.
Attached you will find the following documentation:
- PDF of this callout
- Credential Attestation Form
- Advance Form
- OPSEU/SEFPO Human Rights Accommodation Form
- Local that wish to use rebates for time off for alternates and observers Form
In order to confirm your registration, please submit the respective forms to the appropriate email addresses that are noted in the forms by no later than Monday, October 14, 2024.
We appreciate your participation in these meetings.
In Solidarity,
Sara Labelle
Divisional ChairJ.P. Hornick
OPSEU/SEFPO President -
Over 15,000 Ontario college faculty to take strike mandate vote October 15-17: “We’re prioritizing quality education in the fight for student and faculty futures.”
TORONTO – Without a renewal agreement in hand on the first day of contract expiry, over 15,000 college faculty – including full-time and partial-load professors and instructors, counsellors, and librarians – will hold a strike mandate vote between October 15th and 17th, authorizing labour action should a fair agreement fail to be reached.
The OPSEU/SEFPO College Faculty Bargaining Team and the College Employer Council (CEC) entered into contract negotiations on July 15th, 2024. With all faculty proposals on the table as of September 10th, the union says that hopes of reaching an on-time, renewal agreement have been undercut by numerous concessions proposed by the employer.
“For months, we have highlighted the need to modernize our contracts to meet today’s student and faculty needs,” said Michelle Arbour, Acting Chair of the College Faculty Bargaining Team and faculty at Lambton College. “Quality education isn’t supported by reducing student evaluation time or advancing narrow conceptions of ‘teaching’ which exclude supporting students outside the classroom.”
Arbour notes that the Colleges are in a period of historic profits, with have accumulated a system-wide surplus of $1 billion this year alone on top of the recent $1.3 billion provincial investment.
“Those funds should be readily invested in quality education,” added Arbour. “Instead, we’re seeing precarity on the rise as partial-load faculty hiring outpaces full-time faculty hiring. Three-quarters of teachers, counsellors, and librarians working in Ontario colleges are on short-term contracts with little to no benefits or job security and no redress for workload concerns.”
In 2022, an award issued by Arbitrator William Kaplan mandated the creation of a Workload Task Force to comprehensively review faculty workload. The Workload Task Force Report – the results of one of the largest known workload studies in Canada – was released for public review on September 3, 2024. The report confirms that faculty concerns have standing in raw data: all modes of instruction delivery have resulted in workload increases, on top of increased time needed for student supports; partial-load members are performing work duties outside their contracts; and counsellors and librarians report unpaid overtime without mechanisms to address workload.
College faculty currently have a ceiling of 5 minutes and 24 seconds per student, per week for evaluation – as true today as it was in 1985. Data from the Workload Task Force Report indicates that only a quarter of faculty are even allotted that time – most have less, and overall, faculty have nearly an hour less weekly for evaluation than 10 years ago.
“Our proposals invest in hands-on, job-ready education that trains Ontario’s future,” added Arbour. “The reality is that the Colleges are rapidly expanding a corporate, for-profit model of education on the backs of the most precarious workers and students.”
“Any student or parent can tell you that quality education starts and ends with the frontline faculty training to prepare them for entering the labour force,” added OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick, faculty at George Brown College. “As the workers in college classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and offices working directly with students, we’re fighting for a better college system – because we know firsthand that student and faculty futures depend on each other.”
The strike mandate vote will be conducted by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) and will begin on Tuesday, October 15th at noon and run through Thursday, October 17th at 3 p.m. Once ready, results of the strike vote will be communicated to all College Faculty members and made public by OPSEU/SEFPO at that time.
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Job Opportunity – Regional Secretary, North Bay R.O. – 24.036
Title: Regional Secretary (57-06)
Location: North Bay Regional Office, Local Services and Member Organizing Division, 150 First Avenue W, Suite 101, 2nd Floor, North Bay, ON, P1B 3B9
Reporting to: Supervisor, Regions 6 & 7
Search Type: Open to all OPSEU/SEFPO members
Salary: $1,602.00 to $1,803.00 per week (Range 7 – Support)
Working Conditions: As provided in the OPSSU/OPSEU/SEFPO Collective AgreementPrincipal Duties:
Provides administrative, secretarial and clerical support services to a Regional Office:
- Responds to enquiries
- Liaises with staff in other areas of the organization, locals and with outside contacts to facilitate work of the office
- Receives, takes messages and directs incoming calls and transmits to proper individual
- Takes minutes or recordings of meetings
- Maintains and updates records from filing systems and/or databases
- Determines needs and orders supplies
- Trains and assigns work to other support staff in the office as required
- Compiles summary reports from information and internal databases
- Reconciles office budget (Accountable Warrants)
- Tracks, codes and processes invoices and members expenses
- Tracks grievance files as required
- Monitors and recommends possible updates to procedure manuals
- Types reports, agreements, composes letters and acknowledgements
- Proofreads and corrects prepared materials for correct grammar, format, completeness and content
- Plans and coordinates regional meetings and member educationals
- Negotiates with hotels for meeting conference rooms
- Organizes materials for distribution
- May make travel arrangements and accommodations for staff
- Sets up and organizes office systems
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- One year Community College Diploma and five years of related experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
- Knowledge of general principles regarding office management
- Knowledge of OPSEU/SEFPO organization, structure and policies
- Understanding of and commitment to labour movement and social democratic philosophy
- Understanding of and commitment to the principles of anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion
- Requires intermediate PC skills and knowledge of relevant software packages
- Requires numeracy skills
- Requires tact and diplomacy skills
OPSEU/SEFPO supports employment equity. Racialized workers, women, Indigenous workers, LGBTQ2S+ workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For the purpose of statistical data collection, applicants are strongly encouraged to voluntarily self-identify. OPSEU/SEFPO’s diverse workplace also supports Francophone workers and young workers.
A total of 60% or greater must be achieved in the competition process to obtain the position.
Please advise should you require any accommodation to participate in this competition.
Expression of Interest – 2-step process:
- Submit your resume with cover letter in Word or PDF to competitions@opseu.org quoting “24.036 – Regional Secretary (57-06), North Bay R.O.” by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on October 16, 2024;
- Complete OPSEU/SEFPO Job Applicant Survey – Please click the link below: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ntqy3vmHp0WKvIeSS54XAAT1z0wLjGJCkPtXiPb5NK9UM00zM0hBU1JSSk85Q0FJT09OWVlUWkZSTy4u
To be considered in the job competition, it’s essential to complete both steps of the two-step submission process. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from consideration.
dev-os
dev enviro for os
