New updates

Good day to everyone who is reading and sharing the information.

Please pass it around and I will keep the info coming as time and confirmation of the info occurs.

Up this week is med/arbs at MHCC, and the health and safety meeting as well.

Bargaining is fast approaching and more info is coming up this week. I will post what I can this weekend after the meeting sessions occur. Hopefully, firm time lines will be forthcoming so the members know what dates to watch for.

Next week is proving to be a transition week as the local executive has, what will most likely be, the final ERC meetings before bargaining begins.

Please support your issues by supporting the bargaining process. Support includes:

• letting the employer know we want to negotiate a better collective agreement
• aiming for a dignified and fair contract
• sticking up for members who are being pressed for information by supervisors
• calming fears and showing strength in numbers
• giving a strong mandate to the bargaining teams when asked
• not buying into the employer wanting us to settle for nothing!!!

In solidarity, Emidio.

Upcoming issues for Local 234

Good day, brothers and sisters.

The following issues are unfolding at our local, and I will have more to write as time unfolds;

• systemic anti-racism committees,
• post picks for both institutions,
• mediation/ arbitration dates at MHCC,
• fixed term availability meetings with the employer at MHCC,
• ERC dates,
• health and safety committee changes at VCFW,
• potential rally dates to come for job creation,
• Region 2 educational,
• OPS divisional meetings,
• and the upcoming round of bargaining.

The first step is that I am asking the members to pass on this web log to each other because I will be updating it as often as information becomes available in this important few months.

Take care.

In solidarity, Emidio.

Rally at Bell Cairn/ OCSC

Good day.

The rally at the Beach Road site was well attended and Local 234 provided hot dogs and hamburgers on the BBQ for all who attended. I estimate at least 80 members from area institutions were in the crowd.

Many of the Executive Board members and institution presidents were in attendance to support the issues we are addressing, and we were fortunate to have the chair of the Corrections bargaining team and the Unclassified bargaining team representative on hand to give some words of encouragement and support. Many thanks go out to them for attending.

The Local will continue to bring the issue to the employer and we are planning more events in the future with the opportunity for other institutions to join us.

Please continue to check the different sites listed to the right for updated rally times.

As always, we welcome all of the member's support at the functions.

In solidarity, Emidio.

The Week That Was...and Coming Up

Good day, all.

It seems that the members got through a week that tested everyone!!

I had a meeting with some members and the Officers of the Local executive to address the issues that seem to be causing everyone to feel a division in the membership. I also asked the MERC chair and the OPSEU Staff Rep to attend and we were able to have a frank discussion about the state of the Local.

From the meeting, the one issue that I wish to state is my commitment to showing members why it is important to attend our meetings free from harrassment and allow them to participate in the Local business without feeling like there are factions and sides to align with. I hope to see as many of you as possible attend the meetings to ensure issues are represented.
I am also asking the members to coexist on either side of an issue and support the decision of the majority of members who vote in elections and local meetings.

In the next week, and the near future, here is the list of what is upcoming...

1. Post pick discussions are underway for both sides and we have had good input about what people want to see, and I look forward to seeing the result of the one or two year option.
2. The unclassified/fixed term rally is coming up on Friday. I expect to see members who have the day off show up and let the employer know that we are serious about making staff full time and having appropriate staffing and budgeting.
3. Divisional meetings for OPSEU, where the MERC team and Provincial Health and Safety Committee will be elected.
4. BARGAINING!!! of course, since everyone is asking me.
5. There isn't any news of an offer to report as of yet and the recent publicity with AMAPCEO hasn't helped, but we will let you know as the talks begin.

In closing, I wish to express to the members that the next few months is important to us all. We will bargain for what may be the most important financial document we have the ability to negotiate and your support of the Local, and the Union as a whole, will make the difference.

In solidarity, Emidio.