News | Society of United Professionals

New report finds Toronto Hydro privatization will hurt consumers
November 22, 2016

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has released a new report that shows the City of Toronto, its residents and energy ratepayers will suffer in the event that the utility is fully or partially privatized. The report, entitled Private Sector Gain, Consumer Pain, looks at a wide range of criteria from cost and reliability to public ...
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Legal Aid lawyers vote to join The Society
October 26, 2016

Legal Aid Ontario lawyers have voted to join The Society of United Professionals. On October 26, the Ontario Labour Relations Board announced that 76% of Legal Aid lawyers had voted in favour of joining the union. Society president Scott Travers released the following statement to members about the outcome of the vote: I have exciting news ...
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Retirees, September-October 2016
October 20, 2016

The Society wishes a long, happy and healthy retirement to the following members. Last Name First Name Company Barton Paul Bruce Power Botting John Bruce Power Buehlow Rick Bruce Power Connelly Tom Hydro One Kuratczyk Ed Bruce Power Mullen Mark Bruce Power Norrie John OPG Ogundele Gabriel Kinectrics Click here for information on how to join The Society’s Pensioners Chapter.
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Global energy news
October 20, 2016

Canada: Manitoba Hydro union not expecting job cuts India: Contractual employees hold protest against thermal plant closure in Bathinda Ghana: Electricity Staff Union demands removal of managing director USA: Council adopts salary ordinance, disappoints utilities union Pakistan: Power workers pay scales upgraded
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Manitoba IFPTE members facing cutbacks
October 20, 2016

The Societys sisters and brothers of IFPTE Local 161, which represents professionals at Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS), is facing difficult news after their employer announced cutbacks in September. The latest cut of 50 jobs comes on the heels of 200 job cuts last December. While the union and company hope these cuts can be achieved through attrition, ...
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Nuclear takes centre stage as LTEP process begins
October 20, 2016

As development of the provincial governments next Long-term Energy Plan (LTEP) officially begins, The Society has been actively promoting the benefits of Ontarios nuclear industry. The Society had a significant presence at the October 14 open breaker announcement at Darlington, which begins the first phase of work on a reactor as part of OPGs refurbishment. Society ...
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LTEP Consultations Begin October 24
October 20, 2016

The Ministry of Energy released dates and locations for consultations around the forthcoming review of Ontarios Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP), as well as a comprehensive discussion guide entitled Planning Ontarios Energy Future. Staff from the Ministry of Energy and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) will be in attendance. The dates, times and locations are as follows: October ...
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Society Council meeting to focus on precarious work and mobilization
October 20, 2016

The 2016 Society Council meeting has a packed agenda that will focus delegates attention on key questions facing professional workers and preparing all members to mobilize to address those issues. Dr. Elaine Bernard, Executive Director of Harvard Universitys Labour and Worklife Program, will be the meetings keynote speaker and host a panel discussion. Dr. Bernard will ...
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Society joins coalition to stop Toronto Hydro privatization
October 20, 2016

The threat of Toronto Hydro privatization has brought together labour and community organizations in a new coalition to fight the sell-off. The Society is working with organizations that include Toronto and York District Labour Council, CUPE, Social Planning Toronto, Toronto Environmental Alliance, and ACORN. At its most recent Board meeting, The Society dedicated resources to run ...
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Rally for Decent Work Attended by 5,000 People
October 20, 2016

Five thousand Ontarians flocked to Queens Park on October 1 to rally for better working conditions for all workers. More than 60 people were part of The Societys contingent, including members, pensioners and their families. More than 45 communities were represented, including Ottawa, Lindsay, Sudbury and London. The rally showed public support for the campaign to change ...
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Inergi Local Fundraised for Syrian Refugees
October 20, 2016

The Inergi Local, along with co-workers at the Atrium, helped Society member Rey Dunca get closer to his $60,000 fundraising goal to support Syrian refugees resettling in Toronto. Dunca and his east end Toronto neighbours intend to sponsor a family of five as well as one LGBT individual. The Inergi Local held four 50-50 draws that raised ...
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Young Nuclear Workers Attend Jays Game
October 20, 2016

More than 130 young nuclear employees, including many from the OPG Local, made their way downtown to support the Blue Jays in their playoff pursuit. The September 9 event was organized by the Durham chapter of North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN). Society reps at the event included Leon Simeon (Unit Director) and young ...
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E-mail City Hall to Keep Toronto Hydro Public
September 22, 2016

The urgency of The Society’s campaign to keep Toronto Hydro public increased this week after Toronto mayor John Tory gave a speech calling for privatization of the city’s electric utility. The Society is calling on members and other supporters to send an e-mail opposing privatization to Tory and city councillors through FairHydro.ca. If you havent already ...
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Retirees: September 2016
September 22, 2016

Last Name First Name Company Bisson Robert Bruce Power Cates Philip Bruce Power Finlay Dean Bruce Power Kwee Marc Bruce Power Yabar Berman Bruce Power Bandy Dave Hydro One Chandok Ravindra Hydro One Della Vedova Gino Hydro One Jubb Howard Hydro One Meilleur Paul Hydro One Rolston Kevin Hydro One Steinhaeusser Marc Hydro One Albert Gary OPG Backx Mitchell OPG Donovan Bill OPG Dubsky Herb OPG Dudycz Michael OPG Fetaih Mohamed OPG Gagnon Scott OPG Gobin Randy OPG Gomme Russell OPG Goodhand Michael OPG Haghverdian Lou OPG Hood Robert OPG Jeffers Bill OPG Jilesen Tony OPG Knight Myron OPG Larivee Gregory OPG Mullins Tammy OPG Neil Dave OPG Osborne Dean OPG Plesko Ciril OPG Poole Frank OPG Sederias Florin OPG Shields Lisa OPG Sutton Alan OPG Tam Wing (Thomas) OPG Trombley Rob OPG Trudeau Michael OPG Wyke Franklyn OPG
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October 1 Rally for Decent Work
September 22, 2016

The Society is urging all members to attend the Rally for Decent Work at Queens Park on Saturday, October 1 at 12:30PM – festivities get underway at 1pm. You can RSVP now by clicking here. Co-organized by the Ontario Federation of Labour and the $15 and Fairness Campaign, the rally will call for safe working conditions, ...
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Major breakthrough for Legal Aid campaign
September 22, 2016

The more than three-year campaign to win collective bargaining rights for Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) lawyers made a major breakthrough this summer and now a representation vote is planned for the week of October 17. First, on August 24 Legal Aid Ontario agreed to negotiate a framework agreement with The Society for how the lawyers could ...
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Labour Day a hit for Society members and families
September 22, 2016

Hundreds of Society members and their families joined Labour Day festivities across Ontario earlier this month. The Society had contingents at the Barrie, Durham, Grey Bruce, Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Sudbury and Toronto events, where they championed the theme The Society Stands for Fairness. In Toronto, more than 200 people marched, including a group of Legal Aid Ontario ...
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Global energy sector labour news
September 22, 2016

GHANA: ECG workers begin two-day strike against sale of company PAKISTAN: National conference of WAPDA, electricity workers held PAKISTAN: Power workers hold nation-wide rallies CURACAO: Strike causes major power outage
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Become a member of the Pensioners Chapter
September 22, 2016

Members who are retired or nearing retirement are encouraged to join The Societys Pensioners Chapter. The chapter has access to grievance rights, providing input into collective agreement renewal, is included in meetings with management regarding pensions, and has a representative on The Societys board of directors. Additionally, the Pensioners Chapter works with the Congress of Union ...
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Society members celebrated National Aboriginal Day
September 22, 2016

The Society participated in National Aboriginal Day events in conjunction with our members three largest employers. National Aboriginal Day is marked annually on June 21. The date coincides with the summer solstice, which is a time many Aboriginal people traditionally celebrate their heritage. Society Executive Vice President Policy, Michelle Johnston, attended the celebrations hosted by Hydro One ...
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