OPSEU Local 260

07/09/2026

OPSEU/SEFPO Dues Levy (0.2%) Effective September 1, 2026

July 9, 2026

Dear Member,

We are writing to advise you that OPSEU/SEFPO’s Executive Board voted to implement a temporary dues levy (0.2%), pursuant to the OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution. As such, effective September 1, 2026, the dues rate will temporarily increase to 1.575% (from the current 1.375%). All money raised through the levy will be directed exclusively to the Strike Fund.

The Executive Committee, which is made up of OPSEU/SEFPO’s eight (8) Regional/Equity Vice-Presidents, the First Vice-President/Treasurer, and the President, voted unanimously to recommend that the Executive Board approve a dues levy. The Executive Board then approved a motion to implement a dues levy.

OPSEU/SEFPO is a fighting union – when governments attack us, when employers exploit us and when workers are ready to push back, the only answer is to fight back. We organize, mobilize and campaign for workers’ rights and for public services. And when we need to, we strike.

Strikes are a significant driving force for workers’ rights. They not only demonstrate worker power within the striking bargaining unit, but lift the bar for others—both those with the right to strike and those without. That’s because interest arbitrators look to bargaining units that are able to strike to determine what a fair, freely-bargained Collective Agreement could look like, if workers could strike.

We need to not just be able to support members today but also be prepared for whatever is coming at us in the next few years. So while our Strike Fund is still strong, we need to shore it up for the future. This dues levy is one way of doing that. In order to strengthen ourselves now for the future, the Executive Committee discussed a dues levy and recommended it to the Board, and the Executive Board agreed with them.

If you have any questions about the dues levy, we encourage you to reach out to your local representatives or Staff Representative.

In Solidarity,

JP Hornick and Laurie Nancekivell President and First Vice-President/Treasurer

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OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution (excerpt): 20.1.2

"Following a strike or lockout of a bargaining unit or units which causes the Strike Fund to fall below $50 million, the Union may levy a temporary supplementary dues assessment of 0.2 percentage points. The temporary supplement will be terminated when the Strike Fund reaches $50 million. All money raised through the levy will be directed exclusively to the Strike Fund."

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a Dues Levy?

A dues levy is a temporary dues increase on top of standard dues.

Pursuant to the Constitution, “All money raised through the levy will be directed exclusively to the Strike Fund.”

2. How much is the Dues Levy? What is our dues rate, once the levy is implemented?

Pursuant to Article 20.1.2 of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Constitution, the dues levy is 0.2%.

OPSEU/SEFPO’s dues rate is currently 1.375% of gross wages.

With the addition of the dues levy, OPSEU/SEFPO’s dues rate will be 1.575% of gross wages (1.375% + 0.2% = 1.575%).

3. When does the Dues Levy take effect?

On September 1, 2026, the dues levy will take effect and OPSEU/SEFPO dues will become 1.575% of gross wages.

Until August 31, 2026, dues will remain 1.375% of gross wages.

4. What is the Strike Fund?

OPSEU/SEFPO maintains four (4) separate funds, one of which is the Strike Fund.

The Strike Fund is a large Fund that is used “for strike pay and expenses related to strikes, lockouts and other work stoppage situations involving Union members” (Article 23.1(a), OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution).

It is funded as follows: “Five (5) per cent of the union’s general revenue shall be allocated to the strike fund and transferred on a monthly basis” (Article 20.1.3, OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution).

In addition “All money raised through the [temporary 0.2% dues] levy will be directed exclusively to the Strike Fund” (Article 20.1.2, OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution).

5. Does this mean that our Strike Fund doesn’t have enough funds to support our striking/locked-out members?

No – OPSEU/SEFPO’s Strike Fund is healthy and able to continue to be used “for strike pay and expenses related to strikes, lockouts and other work stoppage situations involving Union members” (Article 23.1(a), OPSEU/SEFPO Constitution).

6. Is this a permanent dues increase?

No – it is a temporary dues increase. Pursuant to Article 20.1.2 of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Constitution, “The temporary supplement will be terminated when the Strike Fund reaches $50 million.”

7. How will a Dues Levy affect me?

On September 1, 2026, the Dues Levy will take effect and OPSEU/SEFPO dues will become 1.575% of gross wages (the dues rate is currently 1.375% of gross wages).

8. If I’m currently on strike or lock-out, do I pay dues/increased dues?

No – while OPSEU/SEFPO members are on strike or lock-out, they do not pay any dues.

9. How will my employer know about this change in dues remittance amount?

OPSEU/SEFPO will be communicating with all employers to advise them of this upcoming change.

06/26/2026

OPSEU Local 260 Scholarship Applications Now Open!

In support of academic achievement and community involvement in healthcare we are proud to once again award two scholarships of up to $2,000 each this year.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. You must be a member, or in the immediate family (spouse, partner, or child) of a member, in good standing of OPSEU Local 260.

2. You must be registered in an undergraduate degree program OR a full- or part-time certificate program (minimum one-year duration) at a recognized post-secondary institution.

3. Applicants cannot be a previous recipient of this scholarship.

Deadline for submission: October 1, 2026

**Copies will be found for download below as well as on your site's union board**

06/10/2026

HPD Members! To prepare for the NEXT round of CENTRAL BARGAINING.... (NOT Local Language at the back of your contract)...set up your profile at https://members.opseu.org/
Update your personal email and other contact info! Surveys will be sent to these email addresses!

FYI...The last Central survey was sent to 16,000 members province wide and less the 2000 responses were received.

06/07/2026

HPD Local Bargaing Update
Your Bargaining Team for the Contract that expired March 31, 2025 attended an Arbitration Hearing on May 24, 2026....we MAY have an arbitrated award by end of July 2026 for Local issues that we could not directly reach an agreement with Brightshores during the bargaining process.

06/07/2026

HPD CENTRAL BARGAINING UPDATE

06/07/2026

We are looking for members to join Brightshores in the Pride Parade. RSVP with the QR code. We have OPSEU flags for you to carry as well. Message here if you want a flag!

04/10/2026

Congratulations to JP Hornick who won her third term as OPSEU president at Convention 2026 🙌

Also many thanks to Sarah LaBelle and Melissa Shaw who both delivered powerful and passionate speeches of their respective visions. OPSEU is very fortunate to have such strong and dedicated leaders! 🙏💪

JP Hornick has been re-elected President of OPSEU/SEFPO by members at Convention, for a three-year term!

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Réélection par les délégués au Congrès de JP Hornick à la présidence de l’OPSEU/SEFPO pour un mandat de trois ans.

03/27/2026

Local 260 Remembers 🕊️

As we prepare for Convention 2026, we feel the loss of five dear members of our Local 260 who passed away this past year.

We wish to recognize and honour:
🕊️ Kevin Allen
🕊️ Rachelle Filsinger
🕊️ Robin Milroy
🕊️ Rebecca Byers
🕊️ Stella Jones

Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and well wishes go out to their families, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing them. Their legacy lives on in the work we continue to do. ❤️🙏

03/21/2026

Help us Honour Our Fallen Members 🙏

OPSEU/SEFPO is preparing a special tribute for the members and retirees we’ve lost since our last Convention. We want to make sure every name is included.

Local 260, please send names and photos to:
👤 McKayla Schnurr (Unit Steward)
📧 [email protected]

⚠️ Important Note: If sending a photo, you must include the member's name in the subject line for it to be used. High-quality photos are appreciated!

Thank you for helping us pay our respects. 🕊️

03/21/2026

🏥 The Healthcare Landscape is Changing: What You Need to Know

Big changes are happening in Ontario and Alberta, and they’re moving us away from the public healthcare we’ve always relied on. For OPSEU members and frontline workers, these shifts change everything—from how we work to how our patients get care. 📉

📍 What’s Happening in Ontario?
The provincial government is shifting the "gold standard" of public care toward private clinics:

• Follow the Money: Funding for private clinics is quadrupling compared to 2020 levels. 💰
• The Big Move: Over 1.2 million patients are being redirected from public hospitals to 61 new private facilities.
• Hospitals Under Pressure: Public hospital funding is only growing by 1% to 2.4%—which doesn't even keep up with inflation or our aging population. ⚠️
• Surprise Bills: We’re seeing more patients charged between $4,000 and $11,000 for medically necessary procedures (like cataract surgeries) that should be covered by OHIP.

📍 The Alberta "Bill 11" Framework
Alberta is testing a new model that could end "single-payer" healthcare as we know it:

• Flexible Billing: Doctors can now choose to bill the public system OR charge patients directly for the same services. 💳
• Private Insurance: New laws pave the way for a for-profit health insurance market.
• Provider Choice: Under this model, the physician—not the patient—decides if a service is billed to the public plan or paid for privately.

🩺 Why This Matters to Frontline Workers
This "two-tier" system means access to care is becoming about how much you can pay, not how sick you are. For those of us in the public sector, this risks de-stabilizing our system by pulling funding and specialized staff away to for-profit companies. 📉

Stay informed and protect our public system: Check out the latest briefing notes and resources here:
👉 OntarioHealthCoalition.ca
👉 StopForProfitHealthCare.ca

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