Press Release
Canada’s largest provincial public sector union has embarked on a project no other union has attempted.
On Nov. 1, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union began a census of all its members and staff to collect demographics and statistics of OPSEU members and to assess any barriers in policies, programs, and services.
The census will collect statistics on the demographics of OPSEU members and staff.
OPSEU’s goal is to create an inclusive home in the union for Ontario’s increasingly diverse workforce. Identifying and removing any barriers for members to participate in the union is an organizational priority.
“Only when we have a better understanding of the diversity within OPSEU can we work to ensure that the union’s policies, programs, and services are inclusive,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.
The census is being rolled out in two phases. Beginning Nov. 1, members and staff will begin to fill out the confidential survey, either online or by requesting a hard copy from their local representative.
Surveys can be completed up to Nov. 30.
Phase 2 of the project will be compiling the data received from the surveys.
OPSEU has hired an independent firm, TWI Inc., to manage this enormous task. This will ensure anonymity and confidentiality to all who complete the census.
Once the data is assembled, a report on the findings then will be given to OPSEU.
“No union in Canada has previously taken on this kind of initiative,” Thomas said. “Our members throughout the province are rising to the challenge of effecting positive change within this union.
“The enthusiasm surrounding this campaign is unprecedented,” he added.
OPSEU represents more than 130,000 employees of the Ontario government, Ontario’s community colleges, the LCBO, and more than 500 broader public sector employers.
It also employs more than 300 staff in offices across the province.
