Tag: Solidarity
-
OPSEU/SEFPO stands in solidarity with David Huerta – calls for all charges to be dropped, detainees released and for the raids to stop
OPSEU/SEFPO condemns the detention of President of SEIU California, David Huerta, who was violently apprehended as he stood as an observer during an Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) raid in Los Angeles. This detention is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to silence dissent and create an atmosphere of intimidation, as workers and communities…
-
From moments to movements: LaToia Jones ignites a call for deep, lasting organizing
by Alexandrea Seggewiss, Local 715, inSolidarity Committee With “Diva” by Beyoncé pulsating throughout the convention hall, an enigmatic LaToia Jones danced her way to the stage giving the audience a sneak peek into the burst of energy her keynote would deliver. Jones is an organizer, community activist and strategist with over 20 years of extensive…
-
Media there as members take to the streets to defend public services
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, and Craig Hadley, Local 5109, inSolidarity On Day 3 of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Convention 2025, the energy inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre spilled out into the streets. Hundreds of OPSEU/SEFPO members gathered outside the Centre and marched down Front Street to Bay Street, bringing a clear and powerful message straight to…
-
This Is What Solidarity Looks Like: Celebrating OPSEU/SEFPO’s Brightest Stars
by Alexandrea Seggewiss, Local 715, inSolidarity Committee The John Bassett Theatre was flooded with OPSEU/SEFPO members to recognize the steadfast commitment of their peers in the labour movement. Sounds of cheers and applause reverberated around the room as over a dozen individuals and locals were honoured. “Because solidarity is not just something you say, it’s…
-
Deena Ladd Brings the Fire at Convention 2025 Keynote
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor inSolidarity Deena Ladd, Executive Director of the Workers’ Action Centre, delivered a rousing keynote at OPSEU/SEFPO Convention 2025, energizing the crowd with her unapologetic passion and decades of grassroots experience. With over 30 years of organizing under her belt, Ladd has been a fierce and tireless advocate for low-wage,…
-
From Beads to Bravery: An Evening of 2SLGBTQI+ Solidarity and Strength
By Alexandrea Seggewiss, Local 715, inSolidarity Committee member With creativity, and community spirit, the Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel (RAA) welcomed guests to an evening of connection and reflection at a unique Convention event that featured both a powerful film and some fun bracelet-making. As guests entered, they were warmly welcomed and invited to make a friendship…
-
Empowering Women in Labour: Reflections from OPSEU/SEFPO’s Annual Women’s Breakfast at Convention 2025
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor inSolidarity On the second day of Convention 2025, amidst the bustling energy of solidarity and activism, OPSEU/SEFPO’s annual Women’s Breakfast once again offered a space to honour and amplify the vital role of women in the labour movement. A cherished tradition, the breakfast brings together union activists from across…
-
inSolidarity’s Convention 2025 photo gallery
Convention 2025 photo gallery Have a pic or three you’d like to add to our gallery? Please email to insolidarity@opseu.org
-
Convention can be overwhelming – New Delegate Seminar helps demystify the event
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor inSolidarity Thousands of OPSEU/SEFPO delegates, alternates, and observers will converge on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to shape the direction of our union through debate and voting on key policy and constitutional resolutions. Convention 2025 – our union’s highest-ranking authority – is taking place from April 24-27, 2025, in…
-
See the truth, hear the truth, and speak the truth – Indigenous Circle leads smudging ceremony
By Craig Hadley, Local 5109, inSolidarity OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Circle wishes to welcome all delegates, alternates, observers, and guests to the OPSEU/SEFPO 2025 Annual Convention to the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation as well as the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. As part of our welcome,…
-
Welcome to Convention 2025! The inSolidarity Committee is here to help you make sense of it all
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor inSolidarity Convention is more than just a gathering – it’s the heart of our union’s democratic process. As the union’s highest-ranking authority, this is where delegates from across the province come together to debate, decide, and shape the direction of our collective future. From constitutional motions to policies that…
-
Who Needs an Education Anyway?: How Anti-Intellectualism and Government Apathy Are Gutting Ontario Colleges
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor inSolidarity Once upon a time, getting a college education was seen as a ticket to stability – a good job, a decent wage, maybe even a house (imagine!). But these days, Ontario’s college system looks more like a sinking ship, and Doug Ford’s government isn’t exactly rushing to hand…
-
The OPSEU/SEFPO Statement of Respect and Why It Matters
By Michael Hamilton, Local 376, inSolidarity Committee member At the beginning of any OPSEU/SEFPO function, we begin with the land acknowledgment and then the statement of respect. The September 2025 statement reads: “Whenever OPSEU members gather, we welcome all peoples of the world. We will not accept any unwelcoming words, actions or behaviours against our…
-
Bring your used eyeglasses to Convention to donate to Rayjon!
Hey Convention attendees – do you have some old eyeglasses you’re no longer using? Bring them to Convention and donate them to Rayjon! The OPSEU/SEFPO Social Justice Fund Board will have a donation box available at the Silent Auction table for your donated glasses. Your glasses will be given to Rayjon, a not-for-profit organization that…
-
Brush Up Your French — One Zoom Chat at a Time!
By Alex Seggewiss, Local 715, inSolidarity Committee member Picture this – it’s summer 1996, you’re at a family gathering and you managed to snag the perfect spot. Suddenly, you hear your mom calling for you in the other room and you know you have to get up, but you desperately want to keep your ideal…
-
Meet the OPSEU/SEFPO members and staff running in the federal election
By Wendy Lee, Local 575, InSolidarity Federal Elections are upon Canadians again. We need to become familiar with who is going to be spear heading our best interests as OPSEU/SEFPO members. There are several OPSEU/SEFPO members and OPSEU/SEFPO staff running and desire to represent our interests, so InSol is going to “promote from within”. All…
-
Gift of life from Corrections Rehab Officer Katherine Hamilton
By Adrien DesRoches, Corporal, Central North Correctional Centre, Local 369 In April of 2023, Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) Rehab Officer Katherine Hamilton made the brave decision to help save the life of a stranger by volunteering to be a living liver donor. In November 2022, after reading the heartbreaking story of a young child…
-
“We are in the fight for our lives” – International Women’s Day and the Labour Movement
By Lorinda Seward, Local 351, Editor, inSolidarity On International Women’s Day, activities in all seven regions honoured the outstanding accomplishments of women activists – in our union, our communities, and beyond. Our Provincial Women’s Committee – Michelle Morrison (Chair, Region 2), Odessa Austin (Secretary, Region 5), Sue Fairweather (Region 1), Bonnie Eddy (Region 3), Jennifer…
-
OPSEU SEFPO Region 6 Hosts Provincial Francophone Committee at Cochrane Winter Carnival
By Linda Kuizenga, Provincial Francophone Committee Chair OPSEU/SEFPO Region 6 proudly hosted the Provincial Francophone Committee at the annual Cochrane Winter Carnival, a beloved northern Ontario tradition. The event brought together members of the union and the community to celebrate winter, Francophone culture, and solidarity. One of the key highlights of the visit was a…