Wednesday, September 27, 2017
I hope everyone had a restful summer, and enjoyed a bit of time away from the office with friends and family. The summer provided us time to recharge, but also to plan and get ready for what will be an extremely busy autumn at AMAPCEO.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Toronto Labour Day parade this year—a celebration of trade unions’ role in advocating for a more fair and inclusive society. AMAPCEO had its largest-ever contingent in the parade. For the first time, we also had representation at the Ottawa Labour Day parade!
Congratulations to our members in the OPS, who overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new, four-year contract extension in a vote held June 23–27. The extension provides several strong new provisions for our members, as well as ensuring stability and security for members over the coming four years. It also includes across the board increases and lump sum payments that take effect in October. Among the highlights of our agreement was the elimination of the much-loathed Attendance Support Management Program. AMAPCEO provided submissions to the OPS employer on principles for a new program. Read more about our submission.
One of our key priorities in the OPS in the coming months will be work relating to the Queen’s Park Reconstruction Project. As you likely know, the Employer is planning a complete reconstruction of the entire Macdonald Block complex, which will involve moving as many as 3000 AMAPCEO members to temporary office locations for up to 5 years. AMAPCEO is committed to working with members to minimize the stress and disruption related to this project. I have asked our Vice-President, Cynthia Watt, to take the lead on the project.
On September 19, we hosted our second-ever Activists and Leaders Forum. Attendees heard from guest speaker Rick Smith, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute, about their work advancing progressive public policy and ideas in Canada. AMAPCEO is proud to support the Institute’s work, which we do in keeping with our strategic plan objectives of combating anti-union and anti-public service messaging. Attendees also participated in a hands-on workshop on recruitment and engagement within our districts. The workshop was one in a series that is developed for district leaders as part of the newly created Education Plan.
We have started planning for this year’s Annual Delegates Conference in earnest. I am confident that this will be our biggest and most successful convention yet. The conference will include celebrations for AMAPCEO’s 25th anniversary. In preparation for the ADC, there are several important deadlines coming up: nominations for the Board of Directors and ADC committees open on September 29 and will close on October 27. September 29 is the last day to submit resolutions for consideration at the ADC. October 20 is the last day to nominate candidates for the AMAPCEO Activist Awards.
