Last modified: 2022-08-12 by rob raeside
Keywords: public service employees union | ontario |
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Ontario Public Service Employees Union/Syndicat des employés de la fonction
publique de l'Ontario (OPSEU/SEFPO) represents workers in the Ontario Public
Services, OPS, colleges, the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario), and the
health care sector.
OPSEU was established in 1975 as the successor union
to the former Civil Service Association of Ontario, CSAO, which was founded in
1911 as a coal-buying cooperative and social club and to discuss ways of
improving the civil service. In 1927 CSAO incorporated under the Corporations
Act of Ontario, becoming CSAO, inc. and also started to run the government
parking lot and the cafeteria in Toronto and selling gas at a discount to
members.
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
image located by Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
from
https://opseu.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/19501.jpg, source:
https://opseu.org/information/general/history-of-opseu-1910s-1970s/9996/?utm_source=homepage_img
In 1951 a new CSAO logo featured the trillium and the motto: Modern, Loyal,
Efficient.
In 1952 developed into an independent labor organization.
In 1956 The Annual General Meeting (the precursor to
today’s annual Convention) amended CSAO’s charter to spell out a full range of
union functions.
In 1961 The provincial government created a separate
Department of the Civil Service, derived mainly by the Civil Service Act of the
same year. Additionally, CSAO ends its co-operative buying function to focus on
bargaining efforts.
In 1963 The politicians insisted that senior managers
no longer belong to CSAO. The organization started to become a grouping of
front-line workers.
In 1966 CSAO registered as a union with the Ontario
Labour Relations Board enabling it to organize in the private sector.
In
1969 The government acted on a key report by Judge Walter Little and excluded
managers, professionals and confidential staff from CSAO. CSAO gets dues
check-off for all members and new hires. The dues check-off does not mean these
people have to become members of the organization, but it ensures a degree of
financial stability to the organization by ensuring they pay dues. In effect, it
brings the Rand Formula (a landmark compromise developed by Mr. Justice Ivan
Rand) to the OPS. Also in this year, CSAO stopped operating the Queen’s Park
cafeteria (after 42 years) and canceled recreational activities and the annual
Christmas choir concert to focus on bargaining. CSAO staff unionized.
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
image located by Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
from
https://opseu.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/opseulogoold.jpg, source:
https://opseu.org/information/general/history-of-opseu-1910s-1970s/9996/?utm_source=homepage_img
In
1975 The organization made the change complete and becomes the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union (OPSEU). A new democratic structure had Convention
delegates elect the president for the first time. The vice-president/treasurer’s
job became full time, and the seven-region structure is written into the new
constitution (https://opseu.org/information/tools-and-resources/ontario-public-service-employees-union-constitution-2019/92827/#_Toc392677749).
In a move to assert membership control of the union, the board abolished the
position of general manager. Also the new union got a new logo, a stylized
trillium enclosed in a triangle formed of three lines – which don’t meet at the
bottom. The lines are said to represent the three sectors of the union – the
OPS, the colleges and the broader public service. The lines won’t meet until the
union gains the full right to strike for OPS members. The slogan Modern, Loyal,
Efficient has gone.
Sources:
https://opseu.org/about,
https://opseu.org/history-opseu-1910-2008,
https://opseu.org/information/general/history-of-opseu-1910s-1970s/9996/?utm_source=homepage_img,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Service_of_Canada and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario_Public_Service_Employees_Union
The flag is a blue horizontal background with the logo (in inverted colors,
that is: white letters and blue background) in the middle. The Ontario Public
Service Employees' Union logo is a trademark of OPSEU/SEFPO (source:
https://opseu.org/information/policy/disclaimer-copyright-and-trade-marks).
The blue color is Pantone # 285 (source:
https://opseu.org/information/opseu-graphics-logos-and-letterhead-templates/12263).
"OPSEU Enterprises sells union-made flags" (source:
https://opseu.org/information/owners-manual/12067
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
image located by Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
from
https://opseu.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/equalityposter.jpg, source:
https://opseu.org/information/general/history-of-opseu-1980s-1990s/9997.
TThis seems to be a variant of the previous logo, incorporating the
organization's initials in both English and French.
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
image located by Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
from
https://g4a9r7j8.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/OPSEU_no-tag-blue.svg,
source: https://opseu.org
This flag features the logo in inverted colors (white letters and logo over
blue background).
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
image located by Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022
from
https://opseu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cain-speaking-LifeLabs.jpg,
source:
https://opseu.org/news/striking-lifelabs-members-feel-the-solidarity-at-rally-for-a-living-wage/150062
This version has been in use (at least) since 2018, as this official document (https://opseu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-04opseuownersmanual.pdf)
titled "Owner's Manual" displays on page 19. This new version displays faded
colors green/blue/purple/ in a repeating (twice) pattern, over the same blue
horizontal background and the same modern logo version.
For additional
information go to OPSEU (official website):
http://www.opseu.org/
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2022