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"It’s entirely appropriate that [the workers at HopeGreyBruce Mental Health and Addictions Services] themselves be more properly appreciated for their contributions to the agency and the communities they serve." — Ed Arvelin, Chair of OPSEU's Mental Health Division
Owen Sound (14 Oct. 2016) — Sixty-four workers at HopeGreyBruce Mental Health and Addictions Services have cast their vote in favour of joining the over 130,000 members represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE). The agency operates out of a number of locations across Grey and Bruce counties.
Mental health workers join OPSEU
Ed Arvelin, Chair of OPSEU’s Mental Health Division, was very pleased that the workers at HopeGreyBruce Mental Health had chosen to join the OPSEU/NUPGE family.
“This agency has a reputation for providing excellent mental health and addictions services. Its staff are absolutely dedicated to improving the well-being of the people placed in their care. It’s entirely appropriate that they themselves be more properly appreciated for their contributions to the agency and the communities they serve," Arvelin said.
OPSEU/NUPGE respected for bargaining improvements
OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas was also heartened by the workers’ choice.
“Every time a worker joins OPSEU/NUPGE, our mission as a union is reaffirmed,” said Thomas. “Potential members look long and hard at our record. They see what we’ve done to improve job security. They see the gains in compensation and benefits. They see the workplace improvements made in terms of health and safety, equity, and anti-harassment measures.
“That’s what unions do for workers — among many other things — and they know this is what they want for themselves, their co-workers, and their communities," he said.
OPSEU President thanks new members for their confidence
“So I warmly welcome our newest members with HopeGreyBruce Mental Health,” Thomas continued. “I thank them for their confidence, and I promise them we’ll work hard to extend to them what we’ve helped thousands of other workers achieve: a strong voice in the workplace, enhanced working conditions, and a better, more secure life for themselves and their families.”
Established in 1985, HopeGreyBruce Mental Health and Addictions Services is a non-profit agency that serves some 2,000 clients annually through 2 addictions programs and 8 community mental health programs.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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