OPSEU Region 2

OPTrust Becomes a Signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment
 
Toronto (May 27, 2010) – OPTrust announced today that it has become a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is an investor initiative in partnership with the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the UN Global Compact with more than 700 signatories worldwide and representing US$ 20 trillion in invested assets.
 
Signing the PRI is consistent with and in support of OPTrust’s Statement of Responsible Investing Principles (SRIP) which was adopted in March 2009.
 
OPTrust has many ongoing activities as part of its responsible investing program, including active proxy voting, integration of ESG considerations into investment decision making processes, and corporate engagement through various investor coalitions. As a PRI signatory, OPTrust is gaining access to a best practices framework which will help guide its future activities.
 
“Signing the PRI represents an important step in OPTrust’s continuing commitment to integrating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) considerations into its investment activities,” says Morgan Eastman, Chief Investment Officer of OPTrust.
 
“This commitment is based on the recognition that ESG issues have the potential to affect the performance of OPTrust’s investment portfolios over the long term. Taking appropriate steps to address potential risks in these areas is therefore consistent with OPTrust’s fiduciary duty to plan members, retirees and sponsors,” adds Eastman.
 
“We are delighted that OPTrust has signed the PRI”, states James Gifford, Executive Director, PRI. “This continues the strong momentum within responsible investment post-crisis. OPTrust’s participation will add greatly to the PRI’s Canadian activities and it has a lot to offer in terms of integration of ESG issues and active ownership within mainstream pension management.”
 
 
Ian Bragg

Manager,

Proxy Voting & ESG

OPSEU Pension Trust

1 Adelaide St. East, Suite 1200

Toronto, ON M5C 3A7

office:  416.681.2944

mobile:416.938.6764

fax:     416.681.2500

2010 MDT Program: Applications now accepted
 
For members, a three-month training opportunity, utilizing both classroom and field experience, that will develop your knowledge and skills of the trade union movement as used in a variety of union-related occupations at OPSEU.
 
Information and applications for a limited number of member development training positions are available from May 20 to June 3, 2010 at 3:00pm. Visit www.opseu.org or call 1-800-268-7376. Applications will require a resume.
 
 
Programme des membres stagiaires en formation 2010 : demandes sont maintenant acceptées
 
Un stage de formation de trois mois, comprenant des cours en salle de classe et de l’expérience sur le terrain, qui permettra aux membres du SEFPO d’acquérir des connaissances du mouvement syndical et des compétences dans une variété de postes au sein de leur syndicat.

WORKING PEOPLE ARE NOT THE  PROBLEM

DEMO AGAINST THE MCGUINTY LIBERALS

BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT

COLLINGWOOD

Friday May14^TH  3pm-7pm

Bus leaving from Hamilton with pick ups in Guelph and Owen Sound

   Tentative times:

Hamilton  10 am

Guelph     11 pm

Owen Sound 1pm

To Download The Poster: Click Here!

Greetings Region #2 Members,

  Attached is a Ministry of Labour Fact Sheet on Protecting Workers from Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment: Bill 168 amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act that is available at:

 http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/fs_workplaceviolence.php

 and three HSAGS Fast Facts on workplace violence, including the Fast Fact: Workplace Violence: Complying with the Occupational Health & Safety Act; Workplace Bullying; and Domestic Violence.  The Fast Facts plus additional Resource Books and Posters are available at:

 http://www.osach.ca/products/free_violence.shtml

 It would be very helpful if you could distribute these fact sheets to y/our members.  We would like to ensure, as we are certain all of us would, that workers/members in our communities and institutions, the LERC’s and JHSCs  are aware of the amendments coming into effect on June 15, 2010 and the requirements of Protecting Workers From Workplace Violence and Workplace Harassment.

In Health, Safety and Solidarity,

Deb, Mike and Eddy

Greetings Region #2 Members,

 We still have no entries from region 2 for the Video Contest. If you want to submit one there is still time as well you may have someone in your family or friends that have children attending university or one of our fine colleges, they may have an interest in this type of project or maybe they need $1000 dollars top off set the rising cost of schooling, please share this with them.

 We have attached a LINC so you can see examples of what is out there. Please try the one right below, it is from the Labour Start competition.

 http://www.labourstart.org/lvoty/

 There is also an interesting interview with the judges of the Labour Start labour video contest, just scroll down to The “Judges weigh In: What Makes a Great Labor Film”, the article has links to other short films.

 http://lookbacklabor.blogspot.com

 Are you working on a submission for the OPSEU Video Contest? Do you have an idea for a video and just need a little bit more time? You now have an extra week to make a submission. http://www.opseu.org/video2010/index.htm

 The OPSEU Video Competition deadline has now been extended to April 28^th, 2010

 For more information and to fill in your submission form, Visit:   http://www.opseu.org/video2010/index.htm

 Looking forward to seeing your entries.

We also will need assistance for the region #2 Convention Hospitality Suite. As usual Ron Norton of the Niagara Area Council will be the lead. We have attached the schedule and hope you can volunteer to do a shift or two….if you can please contact Ron at ron.norton@sympatico.ca  or sign up at convention.

In Solidarity, Deb, Mike and Eddy

Greetings Sisters & Brothers,

 The OPSEU Executive Board held an emergency Board meeting on Thursday April 8^th, to look at way of address the Provincial Liberal budget and its attack on our members and all workers in Ontario.

 Six motions were passed to respond immediately.

 One of those motions calls for “attending” Liberal functions.

 Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is having a $950/plate dinner in Toronto.

The event is as follows:

Monday April 19^th, 2010

21 King Street West

“Grand Banking Hall”

Toronto

Please meet at the Subway station on King Street (King & Yonge)-at 5:00 P.M.

 You can also join the board members from region 5, Nancy, Derek and Ted on Saturday April 17^th at 31 Wellesley to make a few picket signs for the event (noon until 2).

 Members from other REGIONS will be joining region 5 at this event.

 There are many other Liberal events occurring across the province, we will do our best to keep you informed of these as well will be making efforts to make sure there is a strong OPSEU presence. In order for the Liberal Government to know how we feel, please ensure that your LOCAL is well represented.

 We are looking to organize a trip starting from Niagara and working our way up within our Region #2 area. 

 The Collingwood Conference will take place from Friday, May 14th to Sunday, May 16th.
The theme of the conference is “Imagining Ontario’s Future” and it is here that we will begin to lay the foundation for the 2011 campaign — and beyond.
Throughout the weekend, we will have an opportunity to engage with our Liberal Caucus and fellow grassroots members — as well as leading academics and respected opinion leaders — on critical issues such as innovation, the impact of high oil prices, and the delivery of social services in a changing society.

We hope that the Collingwood Conference will challenge and inspire you. Please check back here in the coming weeks for more details about this exciting weekend!

 Below are other events, if you cannot make any of these events…make an effort to pop into your local MPP’s office and tell them why the work you do is so important, why you and those that are serviced by your peers, yourself are one of the reasons why that Canadians love to be Canadian, we care more about people than we do about the “Corporations” goal of money first, people last. While you are there, you can remind them that corporations highest paid elite only get one vote each, no matter how much money they make, no matter how much they donate to their party and them. Remind them that these big wigs are not in many of our communities where we live, they do not support local business’ like the people in those communities, we the people do, but people need jobs and money to do that….the tax breaks go into big business’ pockets, not into the communities….sure you will have more to say to them than that, but it’s a good start.

Other Liberal Fundraiser

 “Please join us for a cocktail reception and fundraiser for the Hon. Brad Duguid, MPP.

 Date & Time: Thursday April 29, 2010, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Location:         The National Club, 303 Bay Street

RSVP:             Tickets are limited so please respond asap by submitting the attached reply form.

Together in solidarity we will send the Government a STRONG MESSAGE.

In Sol., Debbie, Mike and Eddy

Please see the attatched link for information regarding the 2010 OFL Labour Honour Role Scholarship:

Click Here

Sisters and Brothers,
 
There are a couple of Liberal events coming up that we would love to see a big turnout for.  The Provincial budget will have a major impact on our members and our communities and we need to show this government that OPSEU will not take it lying down.
 
We are looking for a significant showing from Region 2 for the Collingwood event in particular.  Gather as many as you can, bring your flags and noise makers, and send a strong message to Dalton that we don’t/won’t accept his budget!
 
Region 2 Executive Board Members,
Deb Tungatt, Mike Grimaldi, Eduardo Almeida
 
 
 
April 19, 2010
An Evening with Dwight Duncan
Event Starts: 6:00 PM
The Grand Banking Hall
2nd Floor, One King West, Toronto, Ontario
You are invited to join the Honourable Dwight Duncan, MPP in support of the Windsor-Tecumseh PLA.

_______________________________________________________________________________
The Collingwood Conference will take place from Friday, May 14th to Sunday, May 16th.
The theme of the conference is “Imagining Ontario’s Future” and it is here that we will begin to lay the foundation for the 2011 campaign — and beyond.
Throughout the weekend, we will have an opportunity to engage with our Liberal Caucus and fellow grassroots members — as well as leading academics and respected opinion leaders — on critical issues such as innovation, the impact of high oil prices, and the delivery of social services in a changing society.
We hope that the Collingwood Conference will challenge and inspire you. Please check back here in the coming weeks for more details about this exciting weekend!

Health and Safety
Free Bill 168 Presentations—May 2010
The Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC) is offering FREE presentations across Ontario to prepare workers for the new workplace violence and harassment amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). 
The amendments (Bill 168) come into effect on June 15, 2010, when employers must have completed a risk assessment, developed and implemented a policy and program to prevent workplace violence and harassment, trained workers about the policy, and implemented plans for ongoing compliance. 
The WHSC sessions will help worker representatives identify risks of workplace violence and how to control those risks.  For more information and to register for a session near you, click  http://www.whsc.on.ca/bill168/

To All Local Presidents with Members in the OPSEU Pension Trust:
 
Please see the attached memorandum from Shirley McVittie, Senior Benefits Counsellor, regarding the available OPT Union Trustee position.
 
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
 
In solidarity,
 
Mike Kelly for Shirley McVittie
Administrative Assistant
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Membership Benefits Unit
( Tel: (416) 443-8888 ext 8661 / ( Toll free: 1-800-268-7376
 Fax: (416) 443-0553 /   Email: mkelly@opseu.org

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