Tag: COVID-19
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The heroic efforts of front-line staff will continue to protect Ontario
You’ve seen the headlines: “Canada leads the world in administering first-doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.” It’s a remarkable accomplishment, and we should be proud. Our success wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated and hardworking front-line staff who’ve done an excellent job educating the public, administering doses and getting themselves inoculated in an effort to stop…
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OPSEU/SEFPO Hardship Fund: Financial support for our members in the hardest of times
Friends, This pandemic has been going on for almost a year and a half, and it has completely changed life as we know it. We hope for a speedy economic recovery, but the toll this pandemic has taken cannot be overlooked. Many have lost loved ones, struggled with mental health, and have faced financial difficulties…
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Collective action will take us where we need to go
United we stand, divided we fall. We are much stronger when we work together. It is a lesson I learned during my childhood on the farm and it still holds true today; we can achieve great things through collective action. The history of the labour movement is full of good examples, like achieving the five-day…
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Towards tomorrow together
Out of adversity comes opportunity. It’s a lesson we’ve learned throughout our history, and it’s a mantra with new meaning in these challenging COVID times. Challenging times push us to think bigger and do better – adversity forces us to grow. The lesson: that times of stress are our signals for growth; that when we…
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Building up our hospitals makes us better prepared
Hospitals have always stood as pillars of our public health care system, but this pandemic reminds me of that line from the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi: “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” We may not always love going to the hospital, but we do love public health care, and our…
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Thomas: Ontarians want hospitals fixed and funded, not privatized
The following Op Ed by OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas was published in the Toronto Sun on Friday, June 25, 2021. Thomas: Ontarians want hospitals fixed and funded, not privatized Public, not private healthcare is the solution to the crisis created by COVID-19 Turn a public crisis into an opportunity to privatize. It’s a familiar…
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OPSEU/SEFPO urges new long-term care minister to act
In a letter to the new Minister of Long-Term Care, Rod Phillips, OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas urges a fresh approach towards fixing long-term care — an approach that focusses on giving PSWs the security and working conditions they need to provide top-quality care. “As the new minister, now is the time for a fresh…
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Poll shows 8 out of 10 Ontarians want hospitals fixed, not privatized
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says that Ontarians want the hospital capacity crisis fixed, not privatized; a position that was backed up this week by new public polling research. “This poll reflects what we public service workers already know,” said Thomas. “After a year of COVID-19, Ontarians want their government to deal with capacity…
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OPSEU/SEFPO commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Officially recognized by the United Nations as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), June 15 is an important time to raise awareness about elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. While rates of abuse can only be estimated due to widespread underreporting, the social and moral implications of elder abuse are substantial.…
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Ford’s notwithstanding clause silences front-line heroes: OPSEU/SEFPO
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says Premier Doug Ford’s plan to override a court decision on election advertising will muzzle the voice of front-line heroes. Thomas is disappointed that Ford has brought back the legislature to invoke the notwithstanding clause, after an Ontario Superior Court justice struck down legislation that would limit third-party…
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Providing paid sick days is what leadership does
The term “jumping on the bandwagon” typically has a bad rap. But, with a host of employers following OPSEU/SEFPO’s lead and offering more paid sick days to staff, this is a bandwagon every employer should get on. For more than a year, our union – along with our labour and community allies – has been…
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Vaccines: Freedom and Responsibility
With freedom comes responsibility. The simple saying has taken on a whole new meaning during the COVID-19 crisis, as public health officials continue to stress the importance of getting vaccinated. You’ve likely heard some folks talking about freedom – many of them on American television, but with plenty here in Canada too. There’s always one thing…
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OPSEU/SEFPO calls for consultation on hybrid learning model
In a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce, OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is urging the government to consult with the union’s 7,500 education workers before rushing ahead on a hybrid learning model for next school year. “Education workers know from painful experience this spring that the hybrid model can quickly turn into a big…
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OPSEU/SEFPO Registered Practical Nurse Occupational Division COVID-19 Recommendations
Introduction The Ontario Public Service Employees Union/Le Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l’Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) represents approximately four-thousand Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) who practice in a variety of settings. From correctional facilities to developmental service agencies, homecare, long-term care, psychiatric care and hospital settings, our members offer their professional services, a helping hand…
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OPSEU/SEFPO urging all education workers to get vaccinated
Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is strongly encouraging all education workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. “Education workers, you are the soul of our education system. Please take the time to get vaccinated,” says Thomas. “It’s the best way to protect yourself, your students, your loved ones, and your…
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Thomas: Enough politics, it’s time for ethics in long-term care
The following Op Ed by OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas was published in the Toronto Sun on Friday, May 7, 2021. Thomas: Enough politics, it’s time for ethics in long-term care While capping rates of return would be a short-term solution, it’s sure to set the wheels of change in motion Profit vs. care —…
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Thomas: Ford’s fortunes depend on fixing long-term care
OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas told Sudbury.com the premier’s political future depends on his handling of the report on long-term care homes during the first wave of the pandemic. “My union, we won’t let it go and I don’t think any union will let it go,” Thomas is quoted as saying. “I think if the…
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Inquiry report underscores the need to eliminate for-profit Long-Term Care: OPSEU/SEFPO
Toronto – The key final recommendations from the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission have been long demanded by OPSEU/SEFPO. President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says the findings add up to one obvious conclusion: for-profit Long-Term Care must go. “Anyone can see that facilities where profits come before people is an obstacle to having a sector where our…