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Hi,
This week your Local 245 requested the use of college property to engage in a legitimate union activity. The request was made, as is usual, in conformance with our Collective Agreement.
After some delay Sheridan HR replied, “… the college is not prepared to allow the use of College property for this purpose.”
Jay Jackson, your OPSEU Local 245 President was quite surprised by the college’s response saying “This is the first time ever that the employer has denied OPSEU space on college property to hold union activities.”
We received no explanation and dare not speculate as to why this request was denied. I’ll leave it to you, the membership, to draw your own conclusions.
Rest assured the event will be held regardless. Stay tuned.
Frederick Oliver VP Communications OPSEU Local 245
2 comments so far.
Since you’ve left it to us, I’d like to share that the main conclusion I draw from your email is that our supposed “leadership” is attempting to spread rumours and falsehoods by releasing only enough information about a situation as to make one side seem unfairly victimized. And this after sending out a communique explicitly asking the membership to ensure they established all the facts about any situation they may hear about before spreading potential misinformation further. This is the exact type of childish behaviour we see so often from Unions that makes them so despised, and makes me embarrassed to be part of.
Steve Rowe
Steve,
Thank you for your comment. Let me respond to you.
First let me say that I wrote and sent the communication you refer to and take full responsibility for it. Let me also say that there was no attempt to “spread rumours and falsehoods” as you allege.
The point of the email that was sent was to inform the membership of the college’s response to our request. The nature of the event was not relevant, the refusal was. I wanted you all to be aware of and discuss that, not be distracted by pending event details. I did state that event details would follow and they did as soon as we could finalize alternate plans.
Please also understand that while we do our best to keep our Local 245 members informed and engaged it is not your local’s responsibility to do the college’s communication work. (I do that from 8;30-5 Mon-Fri)
I’m sorry if my point was missed by some and am open to suggestions and assistance on how to improve our communications. I would like to invite you to set your embarrassment aside and get involved.
Thanks again for engaging in discussion and please continue to voice your opinion. It really is “Your local, our voice”.
Frederick Oliver VP Communications OPSEU Local 245