Bargaining Priority Survey Response Deadline Extended to:

August 30, 2019 at 11:59pm

Thank you to all members that have already completed this survey.  See you on September 18th for the Demand Set Meeting!
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Summer greetings members of Local 291!

Thank you for your patience while waiting to hear about next steps from the bargaining team. After receiving feedback from the first survey, the team met to compile the results. Using the large amount of data collected, we have created a second survey in the hopes we can narrow down the feedback to focus on some priorities.

We invite you to participate in this next survey so the bargaining team can learn about your top priorities and share them with you at the Demand Set Meeting on September 18th at 6pm at the OPSEU membership hall. If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey, please ask a steward if they would arrange for you to receive one. Please return any paper surveys to the steward who gave it to you. To complete the survey online, email your Bargaining Team (bargaining@opseulocal291.com) and request the link be emailed to you.

The deadline to submit a completed survey is 11:59 pm on August 30th. Please note we will be unable to accept surveys completed after this date. We look forward to hearing from you! 

In Solidarity, 

Julie Chambo, Stephanie Jenkins-Moss, Piri Roberti, 
Shannon Tobin, J. Beckett

The Joint Job Evaluation Committee has continued to meet and make good progress on finalizing the ratings. The Steering Committee is setting additional meeting dates to discuss next steps. A further update will be provided based on the outcome of our meetings.

Jenn Bechtel, Jennifer Gleeson, Julie Chambo, Keehan Koorn, Sarah Bumbaco, Shannon Tobin, Susan Kilpatrick

Congratulations to Piri Roberti who is starting as Communications Officer effective February 2019!

On Tuesday October 16th, a grievance filed by J. Beckett, a member of our Local 291, was heard at arbitration.  The grievance centred around Ms. Beckett being prevented by our employer from applying for a posted position. 

Article 16.04 states "Any employee who has successfully bid under this Article will not be considered for another posted job before six (6) months from the date of a successful bid."  In dispute was the definition of "successful bid".  The employer interpreted "successful bid"as the date an employee started working in their current position.  Ms. Beckett's (and that of the Local Union's) interpretation was the date the employee accepted the offer of the position.  

Arbitrator Goodfellow ruled that the employer's interpretation of the language was wrong and ruled in favour of Ms. Beckett and the Local Union.

To read the full text of Arbitrator Goodfellow's award, click here.  Please note that the language of Article 16.04 was amended in the recent round of collective bargaining, subsequent to the filing of the grievance.

Congratulations Ms. Beckett!!!

It is with great pleasure and pride that I introduce to you the Executive of Local 291 for the 2019-2020 term:

President: Julie Chambo
Vice-President: Stephanie Jenkins-Moss
Secretary: Sara Francis
Treasurer: Susan Kilpatrick
Chief Steward: Megan Whalen
Communications Officer: Piri Roberti

In addition we welcomed 6 new stewards!  Please join me in welcoming Halla Shaker, Carolina Hepfner, Tim Frey, Lesley Campbell, Carmen Chui, and J. Beckett!

Two very important roles to the financial health and wellbeing of the local are that of Trustee.  Cheryl Van Every and Kim Ackerman will serve in these positions for the next two years - Thank You Both!

Merrilynn Downey regretfully resigned her position with the Labour Management Committee and Lesley Campbell was elected as the fourth member, joining Stephanie Jenkins-Moss, Susan Kilpatrick, and myself (Julie).  Curious what this committee is all about?  Check it out on the Orchard (minutes and terms of reference can all be found there).

And of course, let's mobilize behind our Bargaining Team!  I am delighted to announce that joining me on the team is Stephanie Jenkins-Moss, J. Beckett, Shannon Tobin, and Piri Robert; and our two alternates are Tracy Dupuis and Tim Frey.
Over the next few months, the team will be meeting to design the demand set survey and then distributing it.  WE NEED TO HEAR FROM EVERY SINGLE MEMBER! Please take time to complete and return the survey so we ensure we're fighting for your priorities at the table.
After we collect the data from the surveys we'll hold a demand set meeting where you, the membership, will vote on the top priorities for the upcoming negotiations.  The team will then take some time to do some training and planning before meeting with the Employer.  Let's Stand Together for One Another!!!

I have one more thing to share - I've got an Instagram account!  Please follow me at opseu_local291_president and stay up to date on what's happening. 
(**Please Note: this is a public account**).

I'm so excited for what's right around the corner.  We have a record TWELVE members attending the Region 2 weekend educationals next month, and I am so proud that the Local is hosting the upcoming trauma workshop on October 13th (PS -- check this post and RSVP today!)
I cannot wait to attend and look forward to sharing the day with you.

In solidarity,
Julie Chambo
​President, Local 291

Trauma Services of Southwestern Ontario will present a one day training providing front-line and first responders with information on how to recognize and respond to work related traumatic stress. The training provides an overview of work related traumatic stress/PTSD, impact on the brain, symptoms, and resources for prevention and intervention.  With first hand knowledge of and experience with the services provided by the members of Local 291, the training is sure to be uniquely applicable to each member.

Training generously presented by:

An important meeting is on the horizon.  The 2-year term for our current executive is nearly up.  To allow for transition time, we're holding the elections for these positions at our next GMM.  As you know, the executive positions are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Steward, and Communications Officer.  To stand for one of these positions, you must be a steward. And GOOD NEWS!!!  We'll have an open call for stewards prior to the elections so you can stand and volunteer to be a steward. 

In addition to these executive positions, we will also be electing our Sargent-At-Arms and Trustees for the next two years.  Anyone can stand for these positions (except that Trustees cannot hold any other office in the Local).

​Then once those positions are filled we will move on to the bargaining team.

Role of a Bargaining Team Member
Our Collective Agreement is up again this coming March 31, 2019 and so it is time to select our Bargaining Team. The team consists of 5 members and we also elect 2 alternates in the event a member of the team is unable to remain throughout the entire process.
Role as a Bargaining team member:

• Do your homework (on member demands, knowing current collective agreement, on factors affecting the bargaining)  
• Keep yourself healthy and balanced during times of high stress and inactivity in bargaining  
  
  
• ​Maintain confidentiality
• Keep current on trends affecting bargaining
• Actively listen to views different from your own; participate in constructive debate to build consensus.
• Help address conflicts that arise.
• Help prepare proposals, evaluate offers, discuss concerns, identify realistic priorities
• Maintain communication with members about meeting schedules and general progress (not specifics)

A training is provided to the bargaining team, and all are welcome to stand for election to this crucial role.

We know your schedules are full and attending meetings can be difficult. 
If you want to stand for one of these positions but can't attend the September 19th meeting, you can use the nomination form.  Also, if you know someone who would be excellent in one of these positions and they can't attend, you can also use the nomination form.  Both the person being nominated, and the person doing the nomination have to sign the form and it needs to be at the meeting before it starts at 6pm for the nomination to be included.  Once the form is complete and signed, you can email it to info@opseulocal291.com and we'll ensure your nomination is put to the floor. 

Every vote truly matters.  And your voice is important and needs to be heard.  Diversity of opinions, ideas, and perspectives makes the leadership of the Local stronger and better.  And that diversity is critical to effectively representing the entire membership at the bargaining table.  We need you - to engage, to challenge, and above all to participate. 
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​See you at 6pm on Wednesday September 19th.