Warren "Smokey" Thomas

The following Op Ed by OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas was published in the Toronto Sun on Friday, May 7, 2021. In Ontario, where two-thirds of a...ll [long-term care] homes are private, for-profit facilities, it’s no great surprise that the almighty dollar rules, said Thomas. And look how that’s turned out. While COVID-19 has been an absolute horror show, it’s one that was predicted, and could have been prevented. That’s why it’s time to take the profit and the politics out of care. And it’s time to bring in ethics. https://opseu.org//thomas-enough-politics-its-time/121789/

Each year, National Youth Week runs from May 1 7. It’s a week dedicated to the celebration of youth and their active participation in the communities in which... they live, work, and learn. Canada’s youth participate in many meaningful activities - as volunteers and as leaders. On National Youth Week, we honour them and their involvement in these activities, which enrich and enliven our communities, our province and our country. Our youth are an asset to our communities, and they are the key to our collective future. They are often students but also teachers and leaders in their own right, helping to instruct and inform others in meaningful ways. And they are breathing new life into the social justice movement. https://opseu.org//opseu-sefpo-celebrates-national/121356/

Each year, millions of workers around the world celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1st. For many workers, May Day is a time to celebrate the achievem...ents of the labour movement, including improved employment standards, occupational health and safety legislation and old age security. Born of the fight for an eight-hour workday, May Day has evolved into a global celebration of workers and the strength of labour’s collective power. But while significant progress has been achieved, and there is much to celebrate, we must also recognize that the struggle continues; for improved workplace health and safety, for decent wages, working conditions, and for paid sick day benefits that will extend beyond the current crisis. https://opseu.org//may-day-2021-the-struggle-for-a/121309/

OPSEU/SEFPO stands in solidarity with members of Local 2100, working as Educational Assistants (EAs) at Applewood Acres Secondary School in Mississauga, who put... in work refusals last week due to safety concerns resulting from inadequate PPE. While most classes have been closed during the worst waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, those serving students with special needs - many of whom require more personalized and hands-on educational support have remained open at great risk to front-line education workers. https://opseu.org//opseu-sefpo-stands-in-solidarit/121144/

OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas sent the following Open Letter calling on Premier Ford to do the right thing and implement a simple, seamless and s...peedy paid sick days program for Ontario’s workers. With hospitals bursting at the seams, people falling ill and dying in record numbers, Thomas says time’s up for a Made-in-Ontario plan that partners with the federal government one that ensures all workers get the paid sick days they need, now. https://opseu.org//opseu-sefpo-president-calls-on-/121128/

The value of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)’s Social Mapping Project is we’re not just using our own biases or assumptions to work toward equity in our union. This data provides us with facts to help us lead the union, support our members and staff, and constantly improve.

The support I’ve seen for Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)’s members is stronger than ever. It may be a physically distant celebration this time around, but I’d count this year's Labour Day as one of our most memorable. https://opseu.org//labour-day-2020-one-of-our-most/110268/ #LabourDay

Ontario needs to set an example for students of what effective teamwork looks like. If we work together, listen, communicate & follow public safety guidelines, we can reduce the risks. So, to FordNation and Stephen Lecce, I offer this: Take your foot off the pedal for a couple weeks. Let’s talk and make sure we get it right. Together we are stronger. https://bit.ly/3fR1hVc

I’m incredibly proud of how all of Ontario’s frontline workers, OPSEU’s 170,000 members included, rose to the many new challenges we now face. With courage and conviction, you did what needed to be done. In every one of our sectors, our members have stood strong together to demand the safest possible conditions for them and the millions of Ontarians who rely on us. But we must guard against complacency. https://bit.ly/31FCwG6

To Karen’s coworkers and OPSEU Local 448 members, we know that you are going through a great deal of shock, trauma, and pain as a result of this loss. OPSEU stands with you. We share your loss and your concern. We will not rest until you feel safe in your workplace. https://bit.ly/30V2tBp

I haven’t had to face the struggles that Black people in this country do every day because of the colour of my skin. I have not experienced anti-Black racism. But I can be an ally for change. https://bit.ly/2Cvl1Qf

Being Black in Canada is a constant struggle. I don’t say this from experience. I say this because of the unspeakably brutal images and news reports we’re seeing every day. And I say this because I’ve always tried my best to be an active listener and I believe first-person stories and accounts from members, friends, and colleagues. We are committed to being allies with the Black community and creating real change. We also acknowledge that systemic change requires ongoing wo...rk and long-term commitment. Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is taking the lead. We will continue to push to ensure that all Black lives matter. And when I say all Black lives matter, I mean ALL Black lives: female, male, trans, and LGBTQ2+. In the coming days we promise to provide details for our first initiative and continue the conversation. #BlackLivesMatter https://bit.ly/37MVqO3

I’ve always said polls are like elevators sometimes they go up and sometimes they go down. But in my 40 years as a union activist, I’ve never seen numbers like this new Nik Nanos poll. The results show that most Ontarians are now demanding: Strong public services... Respect for front-line workers Fair taxes for all https://bit.ly/2Ye6X61

Throughout the pandemic, Premier Ford has rightly hailed as heroes the front-line workers in long-term care, health care, and all other public services. Now it’s time for him to act on their specific recommendations, which are supported by the clear direction given in the Nanos poll. Ontarians want a recovery and a new normal built on strong public services, respect for front-line workers, and fair taxes for all. https://bit.ly/2MVCwv2

In early April, OPSEU’s Executive Board made the difficult decision to postpone OPSEU's Convention 2020 because of #COVID19. In this video, OPSEU President War...ren "Smokey" Thomas and First Vice-President/Treasurer Eddy Almeida talk about the state of the union and how we’ll overcome the challenges of the year ahead. https://bit.ly/3ga2esX See more

Being in the middle of a global pandemic is not how I pictured Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Convention 2020, but crisis calls for adaptation. This year, we have put together a virtual Convention for our members. View my State of the Union message here: https://youtu.be/Bq4NI4eoy90 #OnLab #ThenNowAlways

If Ontario has learned anything from COVID-19, it’s that frontline workers matter. So let’s take the lead in the conversation about Ontario's future. The old normal wasn’t working -- we want the new normal to be strong public services and fairness for all workers. https://bit.ly/2xGqeTe

OPSEU is following up with the government on who will receive the pandemic pay increase. We are making every effort to advocate for fairness in this initiative, but not every front-line worker will meet the government’s two-fold criteria. https://bit.ly/3aKiwVv