Ontario Women’s Conference Report 2009 - Jacqueline McIntosh

On April 26^th to 28^th The Eight Biennial Ontario Region Women’s Conference was held at the Deerhurst Resort.  The theme this year was Taking Strides, Organizing For Change.

The conference was opened with the Ontario Women’s committee members quickly discussing some of the work and campaigns they have been working on since the last conference.  It was a pleasure to see such a large number of women at this conference. The most to attend since the conference began in over 17 years.

It was wonderful to have the first guest speaker of the conference the newly elected NDP leader Andrea Horwath. She provided words of wisdom for the women when they decide to become active in their community, municipal council and political parties.  She urged women to continue the ongoing fight to ensure issues such as child care and violence against women. So that this would get the attention of the governments which it deserves.

Each delegate was asked to choose one of the four workshops that were offered:  Getting Our Message Out, Accommodating Members, Organize and Helping Workers Adjust in Difficult Times.

I had the pleasure of taking The Organizing and Helping Workers Workshop.  It shows how needed this workshop is during this time in our country and throughout the world.

Statistics show that marginalized women, women of colour and new Canadians are workers who deserve respect and rights at a workplace.  National Representative Josephine Petcher did an introduction to organizational issues in the workplace.

We also covered in the one day workshop how CEP has an organizing model and the 10 key elements you have to have for it to be successful. 

The four different phases of an organizing campaign

Beginning a campaign/Choosing targets

Campaign planning

Benchmarks 

Conducting a probe

Forming an Organizing committee

The role of the committee

All of the workshops were timely especially the labour adjustment workshop.  With all of the recent downsizing, closures and surplus staff affecting members, the delegates found this very informative. 

The first part of the course was taught by Pam Frache, OFL Education Director.  She conducted an open discussion on adjustment strategies for laid off workers. As we are the initial support for our members, the group talked about the importance of assisting our members through the signs of layoff or plant closures. Members were also helped to navigate through the bureaucracy of EI.

Adjustments Committees and Action Centres take on a variety of tasks to assist affected members from dealing with the emotional effects of layoffs, knowing their options, resume writing, interview skills, searching for jobs and information on retraining and financial counselling.  These centres can bring in outside services, organize community wide strategic planning and connect with other local groups.

Discussion of how the costs of these centres are shared with the groups involved and the Adjustment Advisory Program of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University. Also, how language bargained into contracts can improve and expedite a centres creation. As well as how peer staffing can be a successful factor in adjustment committees. 

The second part of the course was taught by Trish Blackstaffe, commissioner at the Canada Employment Insurance Commission.  In this portion, we had an open discussion on the timelines, qualification, responsibilities, durations, benefit rates and problems with the Canadian Employment Insurance system.  The group discussed EI provisions around Work Share programs and negotiating agreements with employers to prevent layoffs and plant closures.

Members of the workshop were in the process of facing layoffs and relocation. The pertinent information provided in this workshop along with the sharing of knowledge and experiences were timely. The group left feeling more informed, confident and supported with the assistance provided through the workshop when going through a job loss. 

Our very own Karlene Nation once again stole the show giving delegates a brief introduction to a successful public speaking workshop.  Rosemary Bahr, Editor of CALM provided the delegates with information of how to get the message out to the media. Also, ways to ensure the information gets the attention of both the print and broadcast media outlets.

On Tuesday April 28^th the Day of Mourning was recognized with tributes to those workers injured or killed on the job.  Delegates read poems honouring workers which were followed by a moment of silence.  Bouquets “forget them-nots” were placed on the tables recognizing that we need to mourn for the dead and fight for the living, as all workers have a right to a safe workplace. 

At all women’s conference’s, a raffle is held in support of a women’s shelter.  Over two hundred gifts were raffled raising $2096.00. Thanks to the Ontario Region, many locals, employers, committee members and staff for their help.  The Ontario Region matched that amount for a total donation of $4192.00 which was given to Community House in London, Ontario.

This conference was informative, empowering and a terrific experience that I and all the delegates won’t forget.

Total Solidarity,