Things got interesting at the OPSEU annual convention today when what was expected to be a simple day of reports and motions on motherhood issues suddenly turned contentious.

The executive board released the 2006 budget - generally passed easily - for consideration, but at the front was a foreword from treasurer 'Smokey' Thomas; a foreward explaining in unequivocal terms that he completely disagreed with nearly everything contained therin, calling it a 'false budget' and generally disaproving. In a heated debate, the rank and file of the Union membership voted to send the budget back to the executive to be improved - and giving them until tomorrow morning to do so. Stay tuned.

In other contentious debates, the NDP motion was quickly brought forward and debated extensively. In the end, this passionate debate was voted down, 346-371. OPSEU, at least for now, will remain officially unaffiliated with any provincial political party.