Leah Casselman to step down as OPSEU president in 2007

Leader of NUPGE's largest component for 11 eventful years

Toronto (19 Dec. 2006) – Leah Casselman is stepping down as president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the largest component within the family of unions that make up the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE).

Casselman, 52, has piloted OPSEU for more than 11 years
through the most eventful period of public-sector downsizing and reorganization in Ontario history. She will remain as president until the union elects a new president at its annual convention in April.

“I am honoured to have worked with wonderfully dedicated people,” she says.

“OPSEU members are committed to delivering the best possible public services to the people of Ontario, despite regressive government policies. Our union is stronger that ever. This is an excellent time for the transition to new leadership."

First elected in 1995 and re-elected five times, Casselman led OPSEU through two province-wide public service strikes against the anti-public sector policies of the Mike Harris Tory government.

She was pivotal in bringing about mergers with the Allied Health Professionals (AHP) and the Ontario Liquor Boards’ Employees Union (OLBEU). She has also overseen the still ongoing campaign to establish the legal right to unionize for 15,000 part-time workers at Ontario community colleges.

James Clancy

NUPGE president James Clancy, who worked closely with Casselman when he was president of OPSEU in the 1980s, praised her contribution to the union and to the labour movement as a whole.

"I am pleased for sister Casselman," Clancy said. "Leah can be justifiably proud of her and the union's accomplishments. It has been a difficult time for public sector workers and Leah was always motivated to ensure her union did the best for its membership. Her leadership during fight back campaigns and tough strikes was inspiring. I wish her every success in the future."

OPSEU represents 115,000 employees of the Ontario government, correctional facilities, courts, community colleges and universities, hospitals, ambulance services, social service agencies, cultural institutions and the LCBO. NUPGE