In the afternoon, we attended an Ontario School Board caucus.  Terry Preston, chair of the OSBCC, updated members on what was happening with the SWAG committees: violence, bargaining, grievances, green clean, benefits, etc.  The SWAG committees are support staff workers from CUPE, and other unions who meet with the Minister of Education's staff and the Trustees Association to discuss our issues.  It was from this committee that the provincial government started the PDT - Provincial Discussion Table that was the basis of our last bargaining.  There was a discussion regarding the voluntary levy that locals agreed to so that the OSBCC can fund meetings to prepare for our next round of bargaining.  The OSBCC conference that has always been held in April has now been moved to February to better facilitate it into the bargaining timetable.  There was a discussion about resolutions that were coming to the floor of the convention that school board workers should be aware of: 1) a Ministry funding formula review and 2) fighting school closures.

 

Donna attended a meeting for the CUPE District Councils as we are affiliated to the CUPE Quinte District Council.  There was a discussion about dates for leadership meetings being planned for participating in municipal elections and resolutions coming to the floor of the convention.

 

The convention was called to order at 6 pm.  The Equality Statement was read and a moment of silence was held for members we have lost since last convention.

 

Joanne Webb, Diversity Vice President for Aboriginal Workers did an opening prayer.  Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, introduced the Ontario Executive Board members and welcomed everyone to convention.  Greetings were brought to the delegates by Andrea Madden, President of the Windsor CUPE Council, Dino Chiodo, President of the Windsor Labour Council, and CAW Local 444 President Rick Laporte.  Local 444 represents the workers at the Windsor Ceasar's Casino were the convention is being held.

 

The convention got down to business on the first night and began debating and voting on resolutions.  There have been discussions and motions at previous conventions about less speakers and more business and the Executive made this new change to the agenda.  CUPE Ontario is made up of different sectors of public service workers:  school board workers, municipal workers, health care workers, univeristy workers and social service workers.  The resolutions sent to the committee for consideration at the convention are divided into the different sectors.  There is a video/power point presentation shown at different times of the convention for each sector outlining the campaigns, etc. that has been accomplished in the last year and it is followed by resolutions from that sector.  The first sector to be brought to the floor was the municipal sector.  The delegates debated and passed two resolutions.  Resolution No.5 was concerning a comprehensive municipal and school board election campaign for the 2010 elections.  Resolution No. 51 concerned mobilizing the members to ensure that the provincial government rescinds its decision to sell shares in the province's biggest public assets including hydro, LCBO, and lottery and gaming.

 

A video tribute to Sid Ryan, former CUPE Ontario President, was presented followed by a speech by Sid to the delegates.  Sid Ryan was recently elected as the president of the Ontario Federation of Labour.  Sid was our longest running CUPE Ontario President (18 years).

 

John Fera, president of the Steelworkers Local 6500 addressed the delegates and told them of the history of a still on-going, near year-long battle against the giant multinational Vale Inco.  Immediately following his speech, lines formed at the mics with locals pledging financial support to his local.  More than $35,000 in pledges and donations were recorded.  Sid Ryan added a $5,000 contribution from the OFL and CUPE National President, Paul Moist, promised to match the total.

 

The evening was brought to a close and the delegates were invited to attend a meet and greet.