No Rules. No Receipts. No Accountability – It's Time To Change That
Members and local presidents have been reaching out about something troubling: they're being pressured to get their locals to donate to leadership campaigns. We're talking $1,000 to $5,000+ requests. From sitting Board members.
What members might be surprised to learn is that OPSEU has no rules on internal campaign fundraising. No caps on amounts raised. No caps on amounts spent. No defined campaign period. And no reporting requirements.
That means no accountability to our members. No way to know where the money comes from. No way to know where it goes. A candidate could raise $20,000 and use it to renovate their kitchen—and members would never know the difference.
"That's just how we've always done it" isn't good enough justification. Not today. Not in this moment.
Not when OPSEU members are facing a cost of living crisis without guaranteed COLA protections. Not when we're asking members to trust us with their dues while they're struggling to make ends meet. And not after everything this union has been through.
Because let’s be honest: after the illegal financial misconduct of a former president, the Board understandably lost trust with the membership. Rebuilding that trust isn't optional—it's the job. It falls on every current Executive Board Member, every officer, and every candidate running to demonstrate that we operate differently now. Policies without clarity don't rebuild trust. Fundraising without transparency doesn't rebuild trust. Only accountability does.
If elected, I will fight to ensure the next OPSEU/SEFPO election in 2029 looks nothing like this one. That means closing the policy gap on campaign fundraising—caps on what can be raised, defined campaign periods, and mandatory reporting.
But changing the rules for 2029 doesn't help members who are watching this election unfold right now. So I'm going to lead by example and I invite current Executive Board Members running for re-election and first-time candidates alike to join me.
For the 2026 OPSEU/SEFPO election I will publicly disclose all funds raised and spent on my campaign:
An interim report on April 1st, before the election
A final report on April 30th, after the election
Those of us working for the privilege of serving in leadership roles must remember that trust is earned, not assumed. Our membership deserves better.
That's the change I want to see. And I'm starting now.
—Ram
