This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
Workers across Ontario vote to join OPSEU/NUPGE.
Toronto (24 Feb. 2015) — In three different votes to unionize, workers have chosen the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) as their union.
Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) for Grey-Bruce choose OPSEU/NUPGE
In a vote held February 19, VON employees voted 88 per cent in favour of joining OPSEU/NUPGE. The union now represents all workers at the Grey-Bruce location.
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said that once again health care workers in Ontario have recognized that OPSEU/NUPGE is the best choice for representation.
“These new members perform very difficult work in the community, caring for those who often have no other supports. We will be proud to represent and assist these dedicated members to enhance the work they do.”
These new Community Health Care Sector members provide nursing and professional programs and services to all of Bruce and Grey Counties. This area spans from west of Collingwood, south to Dundalk, east to Point Clark, north to Tobermory and all areas in between.
OPSEU/NUPGE is the choice for long term care workers at Kingsmere Retirement Suites in Alliston
In a vote held February 10, employees at Kinsmere voted 75 per cent in favour of joining OPSEU/NUPGE. Thomas said these members wanted a voice in their workplace and respect for their work and commitment to their residents.
“Kingsmere wouldn’t listen to their employees, so the employees called us. Now our newest members are looking forward to positive changes in their workplace that were only possible to achieve with OPSEU/NUPGE’s assistance.”
These new members provide health care, personal support, dietary and cleaning services to retirees in a residential setting.
Workers from Addictions Centre in Belleville vote to join union
OPSEU is pleased to welcome employees of the Addictions Centre (Hastings Prince Edward Counties) as the newest members in the union's Mental Health Division.
On Wednesday, January 21, over 95 per cent of the workers voting chose to join OPSEU/NUPGE.
The Addictions Centre is an alcohol/drug and problem-gambling treatment service. The organization operates four outpatient sites in the Quinte area, a residential treatment program for adult men in Belleville, and have staff who work with clients in other parts of the region (from southern Muskoka to Brockville).
Employees at the Addictions Centre wanted to have OPSEU/NUPGE represent them before a transition to a new employer later this year. OPSEU/NUPGE now represents six out of seven of the agencies affected by a realignment of mental health & addiction services in southeastern Ontario.
Thomas said this was the right choice at the right time for these new members.
“OPSEU/NUPGE will be able to provide expertise and resources throughout the transition process to ensure that members are protected and can continue to provide these much-needed services,” Thomas said. “This could only happen with a union in place, and they chose the best union to get the job done.”
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