Opening Statement



Sunday 17 March 2013

RIP Joe Palumbo: MOU Union Fighter!



This blogwriter is very saddened to learn from the OECTA Metro 7 [M7] that co founding member + union activist Joe Palumbo died in a coma on Saturday March 15th. Joe was actively involved with the unofficial pro democracy group's OLRB MOU complaint. Joe was also a staff rep at Chaminade CSS here in Toronto.

We commemorate Joe's passing remembering the strong independent stand he + the group had to take at the time, both locally and at the provincial level. They stood up immediately + publicly for all our OECTA members who were unequivocally opposed to the MOU. Joe did so in a timely manner without reservation for his and our uncomprimising union beliefs. One hopes our brothers + sisters in OSSTF and ETFO understand and appreciate Joe's work with the M7 to oppose the MOU and will also share in our grief, thoughts or prayers for Joe and his family.

Special thanks to the M7's Pamela Spearn for sharing this sad information with us. Joe was a union fighter. He was a part of the essential + often thankless OECTA underground  fight against the MOU. Joe deserves praise + recognition for his contribution. Thank you Joe for standing up forcefully for our members' democratic rights!

Joe's viewing will be at the Jerret Funeral Home, 1141 St. Clair Ave West Toronto @ 2-4 + 7-9 pm this Thursday and Friday, March 21-22. The mass will be 10 am Saturday March 23 @ St. Clare Catholic Church. 

For more detail + to send flowers + messages go to: Joe

Pax/ Solidarity!

David C

Related blogs:

The Metro 7 Manifesto: Metro 7 Speak Out!

Nov 25 OLRB hearing: Nov 25 Minutes 1

More Metro 7 Minutes:  Nov 25 Minutes 2

Feb. 5 Hearing: 2nd MOU OLRB Hearing

OLRB MOU Comlaint Ruling: OLRB Ruling

Complainants' Legal Response:  Indie Legal Brief

The Metro 7 Reply:  Quo Vadis: Where is OECTA Heading?

Why are the Metro 7 significant? They "lost" their OLRB MOU complaint on a legal technicality. It would have been great if they and the other local units [Halton Elementary, York, Ottawa, Sudbury Elementary] had won. Still they took a stand, challenged the arbitrary ratification vote, and helped make the issues known. The members + units involved were an important vanguard in fighting 4 more democracy, transparency + solidarity when many OECTA members, as well as those from the other affiliates felt betrayed. We will examine the new member ratification process that has since been approved at OECTA AGM 2013. Their legacy is in having spoken out right away after July 5th without hesitation + in no uncertain terms. We all are indebted in part to Joe for that courageous stand, in what should have been a no brainer from the get go. 


COMMENTS LINK BELOW:

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss...thoughts
and prayers are with you all.
Joanne OT ETFO OSSTF

Anonymous said...

Sorry to here of OECTA's loss of a "warrior" for democratic rights in Ontario. My thoughts go out to his family. ETFO member

Kulture Kult Ink said...

It's to bad more of our members did not rise in solidarity like Joe + the M7 to the challenge but hopefully OECTA + others still can be inspired from his story.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry to hear about this. Brave people who fight for what is right in life - regardless of the issue - are hard to come by. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those who knew and cared about Joe, your fellow OECTA member.

Christine

ETFO member

Anonymous said...

Very sorry to hear about Joe. May God bless him and his family.

James

Anonymous said...

Joe's strong presence and direct no-nonsense speaking style will be missed by all. I hope that he has found a nice salty sea "to sail" in heaven as this was his beloved hobby in this world! Bon voyage Joe!

PAM

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