Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Photo courtesy of @OPSEUSmokey
AMAPCEO extends its heartfelt congratulates to Warren “Smokey” Thomas on his remarkable career as President of OPSEU, and its well wishes for his retirement.
Thomas has been a force in the Ontario labour movement for several decades: an OPSEU activist for over thirty years, he has held the role of President for a record seven two-year terms.
Prior to his election in 2007, Thomas held the office of Vice-President/Treasurer for three terms and played an integral leadership role in several critical moments in OPSEU’s history, including during the OPS strikes of 1996 and 2002.
“I’m grateful to Smokey for all he has done for labour relations in Ontario and within the OPS specifically,” said AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer. “While no secret that there were often tensions between our unions, Smokey and I were able to put a great deal of that behind us in recent years. I look forward to working with his successor and building a stronger labour movement.”
Under Bulmer and Thomas’s leadership, AMAPCEO and OPSEU have collaborated on several campaigns and initiatives, most recently including the OPS Union Bosses network and the coalition to challenge Bill 124 in court.
“Smokey will leave big shoes to fill,” said Bulmer, “but he has more than earned his retirement. I wish him all the best.”