OPSEU activist John Bouweraerts dies (1951-2010)

'No issue was too small for John if it meant his members of Local 263 might achieve another step in the direction of dignity and respect.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Toronto (29 July 2010) - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) has lost a well-known activist.

John Bouweraerts, president of Local 263 at the Brampton Probation and Parole office and a member of the Central Region Employee Relations Committee (ERC) for corrections, passed away July 24 following a brief battle with cancer. Left to mourn his passing are his partner, Scharlene Pekeski, father Frank, brother Marc and a wide circle of family and friends.

"Brother John personified all that is good and honourable about the labour movement,” says OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

“He instinctively understood the importance of solidarity, perseverance and hard work when it came to improving the working conditions of his colleagues on the front lines of our corrections system. No issue was too small for John if it meant his members of Local 263 might achieve another step in the direction of dignity and respect in their work place.”

OPSEU executive board member Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida knew John for many years. "It’s a sad day for corrections. We’ve lost a real activist and one of our hardest working members.”

Born in Belgium, John immigrated with his family to Canada at a young age and eventually settled in Georgetown. He became a corrections officer in 1975 and soon afterward became active with OPSEU as a union steward. He was elected president of Local 263 in December 2006.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE