Convention 2009 is officially kicking off with a traditional Aboriginal opening performed by Wanda and Wabs Whitebird. The convention will be called to order at around 9:30, and outgoing president Wayne Samuelson will give his final convention address after 12 years at the helm of Ontario’s central labour body.

Convention events actually began on the weekend with a Human Rights Forum co-sponsored by the OFL and the Colour of Poverty campaign.

The goal of the forum was to build stronger connections between unions and communities of colour  to promote our shared vision for racial equity, economic fairness, good jobs and justice for all.

Racialized workers have seen disproportionately larger increases in unemployment rates and disproportionately larger decreases in employment income.  This is in line with what we know about the labour market disadvantages that racialized workers experience, even in the best of times.

While racialized workers could achieve greater job security and better pay from unionization, they are less likely to be union members.  Participants attempted to examine why that is the case, and together, develop solutions to build communication and co-operation between the communities.

The first of many election caucuses was held last night, as labour council presidents and others elected 3 vice-presidents to the OFL Executive Board representing labour councils.  After 4 rounds of balloting John Cartwright of the Toronto and York District Labour Council, Sean McKenny of the Ottawa and District Labour Council and Donna Wiebe of the Kenora and District Labour Council emerged as the successful candidates from a pool of 6.

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