November 17, 2020
The Executive Board was called to order at 9:30 a.m. President Thomas was in the Chair. All members were present except Lucy Morton, the reason was acceptable to the Chair. Clarke Eaton, Advisor to the President and Maurice Gabay, Administrator of Financial Services Division were also in attendance.
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida presented the 2021 budget to the Board.
First Vice President/Treasurer Almeida in the Chair
Moved by Thomas/Almeida
Be it resolved that the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board approve the OPSEU/SEFPO 2021 Budget.
The Fred Upshaw Scholarship
Moved by Thomas/Almeida – Amendment:
Whereas Fred Upshaw was the first Black trade unionist to lead a major Canadian union when he was President of OPSEU/SEFPO from 1990-1995; and
Whereas his presidency coincided with the five-year-rule of Ontario’s NDP Government under Premier Bob Rae where he led the fightback against the Social Contract Act; and
Whereas he was a key leader of the Public Services Coalition where he won agreements that minimized the impact of ‘Rae Days’ and prevented layoffs; and
Whereas under his watch as president, OPSEU/SEFPO implemented a significant social justice agenda adopting an employment equity policy, became one of the first unions to hire a human rights officer and establish a Provincial Human Rights Committee, with a mandate to promote human rights throughout the union.
Therefore be it resolved that OPSEU/SEFPO create an annual scholarship, as a standing donation, in Fred Upshaw’s honour with the amount not to exceed what is indicated in the proposal.
Roll Call #1
Ainsworth, Anna for
Almeida, Eddy for
Arvelin, Ed for
Cain, Geoff for
Doran, Dave for
Finucane, Drew for
Kwok, Kingsley for
Labelle, Sara for
Langford, Tara for
Maclam, Kenneth for
Maszczakiewicz, Tara for
Morton, Lucy —
Nancekivell, Laurie for
Perron, Janel for
Rondeau, Nathalie for
Smith-Rice, Erin for
Steinbrunner, Ken for
Strachan, Edie for
Thomas, Warren for
Usher, Joel for
Van Zetten, Jennifer for
Carried 20 for 0 against
MDT Designated Equity Positions
Moved by Thomas/Almeida – Amendment:
Whereas the Executive Board authorized a Membership Development Trainee Program (MDT) to prepare selected members for future staff union positions since 2017 as part of its strategic planning program; and
Whereas the October 2018 staff survey result and recommendations identify that Racialized employees in pro-tech positions represent 17.1% of the OPSEU/SEFPO workforce as compared to 29.3% of Ontario’s population, and Black employees are the most under-represented among Racialized groups; and
Whereas the OPSEU/SEFPO Staff Employment Equity Directive commits to build a more representative staff as diverse as its membership; and
Whereas Black communities through social justice movements are rising up to say Black Lives Matter, and to demand the dismantling of anti-Black racism in all systems throughout Canadian society;
Therefore be it resolved that the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board approve that the funds as outlined in the attached proposal be added to the 2021 budget to approve two (2) additional positions for the 2021 MDT program, and that these two positions be designated for Black members.
Roll Call #2
Ainsworth, Anna for
Almeida, Eddy for
Arvelin, Ed for
Cain, Geoff for
Doran, Dave for
Finucane, Drew for
Kwok, Kingsley for
Labelle, Sara for
Langford, Tara for
Maclam, Kenneth for
Maszczakiewicz, Tara for
Morton, Lucy —
Nancekivell, Laurie for
Perron, Janel for
Rondeau, Nathalie for
Smith-Rice, Erin for
Steinbrunner, Ken for
Strachan, Edie for
Thomas, Warren for
Usher, Joel for
Van Zetten, Jennifer for
Carried 20 for 0 against
Moved by Morton/Thomas – Amendment:
Be it resolved that the CAAT-A mobilizing budget be increased to $40,000.
Roll Call #3
Ainsworth, Anna for
Almeida, Eddy for
Arvelin, Ed for
Cain, Geoff for
Doran, Dave for
Finucane, Drew for
Kwok, Kingsley for
Labelle, Sara for
Langford, Tara for
Maclam, Kenneth for
Maszczakiewicz, Tara for
Morton, Lucy for
Nancekivell, Laurie for
Perron, Janel for
Rondeau, Nathalie for
Smith-Rice, Erin for
Steinbrunner, Ken for
Strachan, Edie for
Thomas, Warren for
Usher, Joel for
Van Zetten, Jennifer for
Carried 21 for 0 against
The question was called on the motion as amended:
Be it resolved that the OPSEU/SEFPO Executive Board approve the OPSEU/SEFPO 2021 Budget as amended.
Roll Call #4
Ainsworth, Anna for
Almeida, Eddy for
Arvelin, Ed for
Cain, Geoff for
Doran, Dave for
Finucane, Drew for
Kwok, Kingsley for
Labelle, Sara for
Langford, Tara for
Maclam, Kenneth for
Maszczakiewicz, Tara for
Morton, Lucy for
Nancekivell, Laurie for
Perron, Janel for
Rondeau, Nathalie for
Smith-Rice, Erin for
Steinbrunner, Ken for
Strachan, Edie for
Thomas, Warren for
Usher, Joel for
Van Zetten, Jennifer for
Carried 21 for 0 against
Adjournment
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Nicole Glass, Corporate Secretary
