Convention 2017: Power ON

Teacher Joy Lachica describes recently listening to the radio with her seven-year-old daughter and hearing the announcer talk about a “letter to humanity” signed by over fifteen thousand scientists and warning that life on this planet is in dire jeopardy. “Mama, what does that mean?” her daughter demanded to know. “How do I answer my…

The following resolutions were carried on November 24, 2017 by the Ontario Federation of Labour: Emergency Resolution 1 – Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act #23 – Improve Occupational Health And Safety In Mental Health Workplaces #24 – Education Sector Regulation For The Occupational Health And Safety Act #19 – LGBTQ Mental Health #30 –…

As a gesture of support for survivors of violence against women, delegates at OFL’s final day of convention wore purple as a sign of courage. Lights were dimmed and delegates shone their phone lights which flickered like candles throughout the hall. “December 6 is an opportunity to reflect on the tragedy of what took place…

For the OFL’s 60th anniversary, we went through our archives to produce a series of short films about the work we’ve done. It’s This convention is the OFL’s 60th anniversary, and we took some time to go into our archives and look back at what we’ve done over the years, to produce some short films…

The following resolutions were carried on November 23, 2017 by the Ontario Federation of Labour: #58 – Shutting Down Hate ER2 – Protect the Autonomy of Health and Safety Inspectors You can find the resolutions book here. For more news from the OFL convention, download the OFL Mobile App. To download the app for Android click…

If there was one central message from Thursday afternoon it was this: democracy takes work. Following a long debate and eventual vote on resolutions in the Action Plan, delegates at the Power ON 2017 OFL convention heard from several skilled and experienced leaders on how they support civic engagement among their members and communities. Chris…

Thursday, November 23 political activist and journalist Desmond Cole made a surprise and welcome appearance at the OFL Power ON 14th Biennial Convention. He began by thanking the people who supported his court appearance, on behalf of Dafonte Miller, and all those who have experienced police brutality. Cole was arrested in July after staging a…

“No workplace is immune to mental illness,” said Vinay Sharma, National Representative, Health & Safety with UNIFOR. “Much like diabetes, heart disease or a broken leg – individuals can recover from mental illness, but it must be treated.” Sharma was moderating Mental Health: Health & Safety / Workers’ Compensation Forum at the OFL convention on…

At the 14th biennial OFL convention in Toronto, Yolanda McClean of CUPE Local 4400 and CUPE Ontario, was presented with the Cliff Pilkey Labour Activist Award. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a worker or retiree who has made a significant impact on the labour movement and community. Clifford George (Cliff) Pilkey was a…

Valence Young, a recently retired Executive Assistant as the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, was presented the Linda Jolley Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ontario Federation of Labour’s 2017 Power ON Convention. Young’s advocacy in health and safety began as a worker representative on a Joint Health and Safety Committee where she participated in work…

The labour movement has historically and famously demanded both bread and roses. Building and supporting cultural and arts communities are vital to our movement, as workers are whole people with interests, hopes and hobbies. The Ontario Federation of Labour presents the Cultural Award to an artist or union member whose work has featured or furthered…

“The rise of hate, white supremacy is not new to the labour movement, but we need to be concerned. We must act,” said moderator, Walied Khogali, Leader with the Coalition Against White Supremacy & Islamophobia. Panelists took to the OFL Convention stage on Wednesday afternoon to discuss strategies to mobilize and work against rising oppression…

The following resolutions were carried on November 22, 2017 by the Ontario Federation of Labour: Emergency Resolution 1 – Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act – carried 15 – Indigenous Representative Workforce – carried 17 – Including LGBTQ Communities In The Census – carried 22 – HIV Stigma – carried You can find the resolutions…

Several main streets in Toronto’s downtown core were unrecognizable on Wednesday afternoon, brimming with over a thousand union activists on their way to rally for decent work at Queen’s Park. Chants and whistles ricocheted off buildings while union flags and placards bobbed as the stream of delegates, observers and guests of the Ontario Federation of…

This convention is the OFL’s 60th anniversary, and we took some time to go into our archives and look back at what we’ve done over the years, to produce some short films about our work. Today, we’re looking at the decade between 1997-2007: Rebuilding People Power: A Decade of Labour-Community Coalitions With thanks to the…

Human rights have never been more important in this world, Stephen Lewis told delegates in his keynote address on Wednesday, at OFL’s 2017 Power ON convention. The co-founder and co-director of Aids-Free World, and Board Chair of the Stephen Lewis Foundation discussed the critical role of the labour movement in the struggle for equality. “What…

Following honest and productive discussion on human rights resolutions, the OFL convention heard from Jeewan Chanicka. Chanicka is an educator and community activist who lives in Toronto, Ontario and most recently worked at the Inclusive Education Branch within Ontario’s Ministry of Education. Chanicka spoke directly to workers affected by racism, colonialism, and other systems of…

This convention is the OFL’s 60th anniversary, and we took some time to go into our archives and look back at what we’ve done over the years, to produce some short films about our work. This is 1987-1997: From Free Trade to Days of Action With thanks to the production team: Meagan Perry, Datejie Green,…

(TORONTO, ON) – Delegates of the Ontario Federation of Labour’s (OFL) Power ON convention took to the streets today in solidarity, marching for fairness, unity and justice for all working Ontarians, as part of the OFL 14th Biennial Convention. “Decent work is the foundation of strong, healthy and sustainable Ontario communities,” said OFL President Chris…

Alec Farquhar, Director of the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA), has been awarded this year’s Prevention Link Disability Prevention Activist Award at OFL’s 2017 Power ON Convention, in Toronto. The eldest of seven siblings from Nova Scotia, Farquhar’s lobby efforts over the years have influenced legislation, policies and protocols at many levels of government…

The late Stan Raper was awarded the Bob Borch award today at the OFL’s biennial convention for his work advocating for the rights of migrant workers. The award recognizes individuals who promote the human rights of workers. Raper dedicated his life to the goals and aspirations of the Ontario labour movement, and the human rights…

Farrah Khan says she wants her job eliminated. It was an odd statement to hear, until she talked about why. As a long-time advocate and the current Co-Chair of Ontario’s Roundtable on Violence Against Women, Khan told delegates at the OFL convention that it’s sadly not likely to happen. “Equity, consent culture, the end of…

Carrie Lynne Poole-Cotnam, the chair of CUPE Ontario Social Services Sector, is this year’s winner of the Olivia Chow Child Care Champion Award which she accepted at the Ontario Federation of Labour’s 2017 Power ON convention, in Toronto. In her role, Poole-Cotnam supports the work of the three-child care advocates on a Social Services Committee…

On Tuesday morning, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President, Hassan Yussuff spoke to delegates at the OFL Convention in Toronto. “Look at what you’ve accomplished in the 60 years since the OFL was first founded. You’ve continued to demand better for Ontario workers,” said Yussuff. “I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.” Yussuff thanked President…

(TORONTO, ON) – Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) delegates have elected incumbent Chris Buckley and his leadership team, Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates and Executive Vice-President Ahmad Gaied to lead the Federation until 2019. “It’s a tremendous honour that the OFL delegates have elected this team to move the federation forward into the next two years,” said…

(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Federation of Labour will lead a rally to stop hate, build unity and fight for decent work, on November 22, in Toronto. The rally for fairness, unity, and justice is part of the OFL 14th Biennial Convention. Community members are invited to join the rally and march, which will start…

Leader of the federal NDP, Jagmeet Singh, brought an invigorating, progressive message to the Ontario Federation of Labour’s 14th Biennial Convention on November 21. To a packed and buzzing crowd, Singh opened his address with, “big ups,” for labour’s principled and effective activism in Ontario. Singh referred to both the tireless work of people across…

This convention is the OFL’s 60th anniversary, and we took some time to go into our archives and look back at what we’ve done over the years, to produce some short films about our work. Today, we’re looking back at the OFL’s second decade. This is On the Job and In the Union: Workers Demand…

Organizing is no small challenge, and at the OFL Power ON 2017 convention a panel of organizers took the stage to share their experience and knowledge of organizing. Millions of Canadians say they would be open to joining a union, delegates heard during Tuesday’s panel “Activating our Decent Work Agenda: Hit the Ground Running”. “As…

Kumsa Baker, a research analyst with UNITE HERE Local 75, was awarded the 2017 Ontario Federation of Labour’s Young Workers Award at the Power ON convention in Toronto. Baker is just 24, and is part of a new breed of fellow like-minded campaigners in Local 75 that is working to open and expand the union…

Acid burns that blacken skin, sixteen-hour workdays with no overtime pay, racial slurs, even physical assault: those are some of the horrific experiences precarious workers in Ontario endure. The “Decent Work Now and in the Future” panel described these all-too-common experiences on Monday afternoon at the OFL Convention. As panelists described their experiences with unscrupulous…

Monday afternoon, delegates warmly welcomed Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath to the OFL convention. Horwath’s introduction was met with loud cheers and a standing ovation, as she greeted delegates on her way to the main stage. “I want to thank President Buckley for your strong leadership and your incredible dedication to the labour movement in…

The following resolutions were carried on November 20 by the Ontario Federation of Labour: Resolution 45: Creation of Labour Council Builder Award, in the memory of Jim Freeman Resolution 46: Social Stewards Network Resolution 10: Equal Pay for Equal Work Resolution 71: University Funding Resolution 7: Tax New Technologies You can find the resolutions book…

“If not us, then who?” In his opening address at its 14th Biennial Convention in Toronto, the Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley, asked the more than 1000 gathered delegates to consider the federation’s sixty years of successful organizing for workers’ rights and dignity, and what that means for the work of the federation…

This convention is the OFL’s 60th anniversary, and we took some time to go into our archives and look back at what we’ve done over the years, to produce some short films about our work. The OFL was founded in 1957. Let’s start there. Here is The Courage To Lead: Building Social Democracy in Ontario.…

Over 100 workers from across Ontario attended the OFL Young Workers’ Assembly at the Sheraton Centre Toronto on November 18. Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley, opened the day with an inspiring welcome to the group. “Each and every one of you deserves decent work and a good job,” said Buckley. “And I want…

(TORONTO, ON) – For the last two years the labour movement has taken a lead role in ensuring that the historic review of Ontario’s employment and labour laws does what is right for workers. This week, delegates are coming together under the theme “Power ON” to celebrate our wins and set the path of Ontario’s…

(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) will hold its 14th Biennial Convention, under the banner “Power ON” from November 20 to 24, 2017 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. “This gathering of like-minded labour activists is a knowledge sharing opportunity to discuss key issues facing labour today,” said OFL President Chris Buckley.…