The 200+ members didn’t show up to our town halls for me. They showed up because something is broken and they’re tired of pretending it isn’t. That doesn’t go away because of an election result. That goes away when someone fixes it.

Since November, we have gathered over 800 minutes of conversation. All 7 regions. Nearly every sector is represented. 12 consistent issues kept emerging. Here is the thing, these aren’t my talking points— they’re yours. Take them into convention. Ask whoever’s leading next what they plan to do about them.

You can check your bank balance at 2 a.m. and compare every phone on the market on your bus ride to work. So why is it so hard to track your own grievance, reach your staff rep, or find out what resources your dues are supposed to give you?

Most OPSEU members don't even know a leadership election is happening right now. If a few members couldn't find their way around, that's an individual problem. When most of your membership can't, that's an institutional one.

Solidarity is the foundation of everything a union does. But we can't build solidarity with members we've made it impossible to reach.

We built a Delegate Toolkit for that. Read why — and access it — at the link.

ram4change.ca/toolkit

I wanted to model the way OPSEU could better listen to members, and leverage technology and make data-driven decisions. […]

With regionals so close and the future of our union at stake, I want to be clear about the kind of leadership I’m offering.

Leadership that actually walks the talk, leadership that goes high when others go low, and leadership that lets its work, track record, and ideas take center stage. Leadership that works to ensure your dues are spent responsibly and focused on delivering results for all members.

If that’s the kind of union you want to belong to, I’m asking you to help me build it by electing me as an Executive Board Member for Region 5 this weekend, and as First VP/Treasurer in April.

To everyone who came through on Saturday — thank you. If elected, I commit to fighting to shift this culture towards one more aligned with our Statement of Respect. An OPSEU where you don't have to keep your support quiet, where you can disagree with leaders without fear of consequences. That's the bare minimum of what a democratic union should be — and the fact that we have to fight for it tells you everything about why this election matters.