King Arthur Movie Tristan

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) have elected a new leader, to replace the ever shrill Leah Casselman. Warren "Smokey" Thomas is a longtime union activist and registered practical nurse from Kingston, and he was elected in April. Regarding the union's activism, here's what he has to say:

"We will not practise partisan politics."

From the North Bay Nugget

Smokey, said he will sit down with provincial leaders to get a feel for each party's platform.

Past performance won't be considered, he said. The primary factor will be the platform each party provides and what each would do for his union.

Holy cow! A sane and rational approach. I offer further suggestions to brother Smokey:

Don't consult each party once, do it always.

Ignore Sid Ryan ("We absolutely oppose the Tories. We know where they took us. I would put it to Smokey that he would find out very quickly where the Tories (will go) because there was no union that suffered more (during the Harris regime) than OPSEU.").
Really Smokey, don't pick fights with any party, not even those big bad mean old Tories. The unions got clobbered by Mike Harris in part because they hated Mike Harris. Harris had nothing to gain playing nice with them, and they made it clear they weren't interested in nice anyway.

Side up with whichever party you can agree with on an issue by issue basis. Support who you want in an election, but don't burn the other bridges, and support them where appropriate.

Remember, your job is looking out for your members, not partisan politics. You have the right idea, now stick with it.