Happy New Year 2009! There’s a lot that’s new for 2009.

It all began last year with preparations for contract negotiations. Member interest was high at Local meetings that brought in speakers from the Region 5 office. We held elections and saw more members participating as stewards and committee members than in recent years. Our new Local Executive has a good mix of long-term members and new blood.

On the bargaining front, we attended province-wide rallies. We sponsored our own Bargaining Solidarity Breakfasts, and had a year-end party. And our well-supported Bargaining Team was able to negotiate a contract that could be recommended for acceptance by Central and Unified groups (that’s us, folks).

We’re also working to improve member communications with our own website (opseulocal504.org). It will have our own Local’s announcements and lists of stewards, as well as links to other OPSEU and Labour-related sites.

Getting ready for the contract vote

I’m sure we have questions about the new contract. Understanding what you’re voting on is important. To this end, there are sessions Monday Jan 19, 12-1 and 1-2 PM, and Monday Jan 26 12-1 and 1-2 PM in M4 mezzanine at 5700 Yonge (light lunch provided).

Then, on Thurs Jan 22, there’s a 12-2PM for the North York Cluster at the Burgundy Room of the North York Civic Centre. Bring your own lunch. Tokens reimbursed.

To get the most out of these sessions, please review the Table Talk Update, the detailed explanation, and the Memorandum of Settlement on the main OPSEU/SEFPO website (opseu.org) beforehand. Jot down any comments or questions you have to jog your memory at the information sessions.

Jan 27-29 is the contract ratification vote. Another newsletter will repeat the details for those who haven’t seen them elsewhere.

Educational

Jan 16 is the last day to get your Region 5 Weekend Educational enrolments to Luisa for the Feb 28 and March 1sessions. For the new stewards, there’s Training parts 1 & 2. And for the more experienced there are specialized courses in topics that make for effective union membership and leadership. You receive some meal and hotel expenses plus a $45/day honorarium, as well as additional meal, hotel, and childcare expenses depending on your circumstances.

Closing thought

If the contract vote goes as recommended, we’re not going to be on the line in 2009. But remember, we still ARE the line to improving the workplace…

In solidarity,   Russ