The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) appointed a new President on April 8, 2022. JP Hornick emerged victorious from the 2022 OPSEU Elections. She supersedes Warren (Smokey) Thomas, who has served as the longest prior leader of OPSEU since April 20, 2007. Her win creates history within the union and brings reassurance to members hoping for change.
OPSEU serves approximately 180,000 members across Ontario in sectors such as Health Care, Social Services, Education, Colleges, General, Liquor Board and Ontario Public Service. More particularly, in Health Care, it represents over 43,000 members composed of Hospital Professionals, Hospital Support, Ambulance, and Long-Term Care Facilities. It further supports Community Health Care Professionals and CBS and Diagnostics members.
JP Hornick is an experienced educator who has worked in the Ontario college system since 1997. She has for long supported social justice and labour activism movements. As an activist for women's rights, equity, LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS, anti-racism, and decolonization, JP holds a diverse portfolio and represents a change towards a more socially-progressive vision. Within the union, she has recognized the need for systemic renewal and greater support, which resonated with union members who cast their ballots in her favour. She has been a part of OPSEU/SEFPO for over 20 years.
Her win means progress towards equity, diversity and inclusion within OPSEU/SEFPO and a greater focus on social justice campaigns across the province. JP has pledged to support the union's development through transparency and democracy and expressed her intent to foster a more extensive and more inclusive union in which members have a voice and collaboration is valued.
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