The Provincial Young Workers Committee (PYC) recently hosted “Invest in Your Future,” OPSEU’s 8th Annual International Youth Day Conference (IYD). It was held from August 12-14, 2015 at the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Toronto. In a direct response to the success from last year’s event, IYD was expanded into a two and a half day event. The PYC welcomed over 120 enthusiastic young workers from across the province. Guest delegates from the British Columbia Government Employees Union (BCGEU) were also invited to attend.
The conference opening was abuzz as the energy and atmosphere were magnetic. President Smokey Thomas addressed the gathering of energetic and committed young workers, many of whom were attending the conference as their first-ever OPSEU function! He stressed the importance of getting involved, recognizing the fact that the people in the room represent the future of the labour movement and also quite possibly, an eventual president of OPSEU!
This event encouraged participants to develop a stronger connection to their union and was organized to help build and strengthen the leadership potential of young workers. It also addressed the following specific objectives:
- recognize that the future of OPSEU and the labour movement depends on the strength of its young people;
- empower and ensure that OPSEU has actively engaged young worker members in its ongoing fight for equity and fairness;
- be more equipped with the necessary union tools and resources to become stronger activists in their workplaces, locals and communities; and
- know more about young worker rights and responsibilities to protect against workplace health and safety hazards and precarious employment that disproportionately impacts young workers.
IYD 2015 also continued to build on the themes from last year and the expanded workshops were designed to address to those needs. Conference participants took part in sessions that focused on public speaking, grievance handling, tackling the issue of mental health in the workplace, and recognizing the importance of time management.
In addition to President Smokey Thomas’ address, this conference also welcomed the following guest speakers:
- Farley Flex who is a motivational speaker, best known as a judge on Canadian Idol, Canada’s most watched television show ever. His passion for community involvement complemented by the work that he does to support disadvantaged youth was an inspirational addition to the program.
- Nora Loreto, who provided this year’s keynote address once again, focused on the issues of precarious employment and its impact on young workers.
- John MacDonald is a union activist with UNIFOR. He reinvigorated the important need for health and safety in the workplace through a series of leafletting initiatives.
- Jeff Moat, President of Partners for Mental Health, talked about why bringing issues of mental health to the forefront of discussions would inevitably invoke overall social change.
The program also included presentations from the following OPSEU units: The OPSEU Resource Centre, Organizing, Negotiations, Equity, Health and Safety, Contract Enforcement, Pensions and Benefits, and Local Services Division. To the many new young worker activists in attendance, this was an invaluable introduction into the internal workings of how OPSEU provides services to its membership.
This year also marked the launch of OPSEU’s Don’t Vote Campaign in which the PYC has taken on a vital leadership role. It is a non-partisan campaign aimed at engaging young workers in the political process. The overall tone is good-natured sarcasm, edgy and fun. OPSEU young workers took to the streets during the conference. They talked to many Torontonians, from all walks of life, about the importance of casting a ballot at the upcoming federal election.
As the excitement from this conference winds down, participants have returned to their communities and locals energized. Many have made the commitment to become more involved with aspirations of becoming a unit steward and/or being elected to their local executive and/or bargaining team.
The PYC would like to thank the many OPSEU advocates who demonstrated their commitment to young worker rights by participating at the event. They would also like to extend a warm thank you to all of the invited guests whose expertise and contribution added a special ‘personal’ touch to the event, and to Data on the Spot (DOTS), for supplying the e-polling technology. Following successes at the recent Human Rights (2014) and Francophone (2015) Conferences, the use of electronic polling was also incorporated at this event. It was an innovative and easy way of generating instant feedback from the participants. Lastly, a special thank you goes out to the staff from OPSEU’s Equity and Training and Development Units, and Communications Division, consummate professionals whose guidance, talent and hard work greatly contributed to a successful conference. See you in 2016!
Conference Materials
iyd_agenda_bilingual.pdf
iyd_2015_poster.pdf
iyd_2015_workshop_participant_kit.pdf
iyd_2015_speakers_corner.pdf
resource_centre_handout.pdf
organizing_unit_presentation.pdf
collective_bargaining_presentation.pdf
iyd_2015_hs_presentation.pdf
partners_for_mental_health_presentation.pdf
legal_tools_handout_for_beginners_-_iyd_2015.pdf
pensions_and_benefits_presentation.pdf
financial_planning_presentation_.pdf