Please see below for information on how you can help build Region 5’s campaign to mobilize OPSEU votes for Public Services in the Provincial Election, and other upcoming events.

Help Mobilize OPSEU Votes for Public Services

1. Volunteer with the OPSEU Region 5 Election Phone Bank
2. Help Get the Word Out in Your Local

Upcoming Conferences and Educationals

1. OPSEU Young Workers Conference – Aug 10-12
   (Application deadline: May 31)
2. Labour Council Indigenous & Workers of Colour Conference – June 16-17
3. OFL 2018 Summer School (July 8-13) & Women’s School (July 15-20)
   (Application deadline for one of three Region 5 scholarships: May 31)

Help Moblize OPSEU Votes for Public Services, Good Jobs & Strong Communities…

Every OPSEU member has a lot on the line in the June 7 Ontario Provincial Election – from stopping privatization and defending quality public services, to standing up for good jobs, worker’s rights and strong, supportive communities.

And with poll’s showing the Liberals fading in third place, NDP support surging on a strong progressive platform, and the Tories calling for massive cuts to public services, OPSEU votes can make a real difference on Election Day.

So, OPSEU is reaching out to as many members as possible between now and June 7 to talk about the issues and encourage members to vote for progressive candidates who will speak up for public services, good jobs, and workers’ rights.

Here’s how YOU can help!

1) Volunteer with the Region 5 Election Phone Bank

The phone bank will be up through to election day at the OPSEU Toronto Regional Office at 31 Wellesley St. E, 2nd Floor. (Just east of Yonge, across from the Wellesley Subway.)

Please see the list of phone bank dates and times below. To volunteer, send an email to opseuregion5ebms@gmail.com, or contact one of our 3 Region 5 Election Mobilizers:
> Farhad Rahaman (farhadlocal526@gmail.com, 416-574-9513)
> Kim Nasello (kim.local5111@gmail.com, 647-542-5111)
> Marjorie Nelson (msnelsonm@gmail.com, 647-207-4558).

Be sure to include the dates you can come as well as your name, OPSEU local number, personal (non-work) email address and cell number.

PHONE BANK DATES & TIMES
Tues, 22-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Wed 23-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Thurs, 24-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Fri, 25-May, N/A
Sat, 26-May, 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Sun, 27-May, 2:00 – 7:00 pm

Mon, 28-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Tues, 29-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Wed 30-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Thurs, 31-May, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Fri, 01-Jun, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Sat, 02-Jun, 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Sun, 03-Jun, 2:00 – 7:00 pm

Mon, 04-Jun, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Tues, 05-Jun, 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Wed 06-Jun, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

*Light dinner, drinks & TTC fare provided.

2) Help Get the Word Out in YOUR Local

To reach every member, we need YOU and your local leadership to get help the word out in YOUR LOCAL.

That is why OPSEU Region 5 is asking every local to hold a special pre-election GMM or information meeting between now and Election Day on June 7 – and to invite one of our OPSEU election mobilizers, a We Own It mobilizer and/or one of your Region 5 EBMs. The goal? To kick-start a discussion with your members about the issues and what we have at stake as public sector workers – and to encourage your members to vote for candidates who will stand up for public services, good jobs and workers rights.

To arrange for a speaker to come to your local – or get printed copies of OPSEU’s Vote Better Election Platform and fact sheets, contact one of our Region 5 Election Mobilizers:
> Farhad Rahaman (farhadlocal526@gmail.com, 416-574-9513)
> Kim Nasello (kim.local5111@gmail.com, 647-542-5111),
> Marjorie Nelson (msnelsonm@gmail.com, 647-207-4558)..
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Upcoming Conferences & Educationals…

1)  OPSEU Young Workers Conference – Aug. 10-12
(Application deadline: May 31)

The Provincial Young Workers Committee (PYC) invites OPSEU young workers, 35 and under, to submit their application for the 2018 Young Workers Conference which will take place from August 10-12 in downtown Toronto.  In addition to welcoming previous conference participants, the PYC would like to extend a special invitation to those who have not attended in the past.

This year’s event, “Back to Basics: Your Young Worker Survival Guide” will provide participants with an understanding of your basic rights and entitlements under the law and in your collective agreements. The conference will continue to reinforce the need for young workers to take an active role in shaping your futures and your union.

When:      Friday, Aug 10 – Sunday, Aug 12 
Where:   Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St, Toronto
IMPORTANT: Application Deadline is May 31
Click here for more information or to submit your application.

** Not a Young Worker yourself? Please forward this information to a Young Worker in Your Local!

2) Labour Council Indigenous & Workers of Colour (IWOC) Conference – June 16-17

This year, Labour Council’s annual IWOC Conference is entitled “Decolonizing Corridors of Power, Privilege & Politics”. This year’s conference will feature:

• Keynote speech by Jagmeet Singh (Leader of Federal NDP),
• Panel discussion on “#MeToo – an Indigenous & racialized perspective” with Victoria Shen (ACTRA-Toronto), Maggie Cywink (Provincial Advisor on Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women) and Andria Babbington (Unite Here Local 75)
• Workshops choices: We are the Union; Municipal Elections from a Racialized & Indigenous Perspective; Building Allyship; Addressing Systemic Racism in the Labour Movement; Indigenous Peoples – realities & struggles.

When:      Saturday, June 16, 9 am – 5 pm (sign-in, 8 am)
Where:     IBEW Local 353, 1377 Lawrence Ave East, Toronto
Registration:  Deadline, June 5
> Download the IWOC Registration Form & Submit to Labour Council
> Fees for OPSEU Region 5 members covered by Region 5
> Be sure to list OPSEU and your Local # on your registration form

3) CLC 2018 Summer School (July 8-13) & Women’s School (July 15-20)

This July the Canadian Labour Congress is again hosting its week-long Ontario Regional CLC Summer School and CLC Women’s School. These intensive, week-long training/education opportunities are organized by the Canadian Labour Congress and will take place at the NAV Centre in Cornwall.

For more information on the courses and workshops offered:

1. Ontario Region Summer School – July 8 to July 13
2. Ontario Women’s Summer School– July 15 to July 20

Region 5 Scholarships (Application Deadline, May 31)
Your Region 5 Executive Board Members and Education Committee are inviting new and seasoned OPSEU activists apply to for one of three (3) full scholarships to attend either the Ontario  Summer School or Women’s School.

For selected OPSEU applicants, Region 5 will reimburse the $1045 early-bird registration fee, as well as the member’s lost wages and travel expenses, following successful completion of the course.

(The registration fee includes shared accommodation and cafeteria meals.) Important: OPSEU Region 5 will NOT cover cancellation fees.

To apply for one of the three Region 5 scholarships, please send a email to opseuregion5ebms@gmail.com and include ALL of the following information:

• Your name, OPSEU local #, personal email address, cell #, and the name of your employer
• A list of all elected/appointed OPSEU positions you hold
• Details of your experience as an OPSEU, labour and/or community activist
• Which course (Summer School or Women’s School) and workshop(s) you are interested in taking, and how you plan to use this training in your OPSEU activism
• Whether you identify as a member of one of the following groups: Indigenous worker, Woman worker, Racialized worker, Worker with a disability, Young worker, Francophone worker, LGBTTIAQQ2S worker).

IMPORTANT: Be sure to provide ALL of the information requested above. Application Deadline is May 31, 2018.

Got questions? Want to volunteer or get more involved?
Just send an email to opseuregion5ebms@gmail.com or contact one of your Region 5 Executive Board Members
Myles Magner (RVP): mylesmagner@gmail.com
Julius Arscott (EBM): arscottj@hotmail.com
Kingsley Kwok (EBM elect):  kingsley.kwok.opseu@gmail.com

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