Members of CUPE 5525,
Your Bargaining Committee is committed to achieving a fair and equitable first collective agreement. Our most recent meeting with the employer on February 25th, produced disappointing results, as management continues to dismiss our proposals and offers entirely inadequate counterproposals.
We have reached an impasse on critical issues, including health benefits, sick leave, hours of work, and wages. It is clear to us that management does not intend to negotiate an agreement.
Consequently, following extensive deliberation and consultation with the CUPE Health Care Sector Team, we have made the necessary decision to request a “No Board Report” from the Ministry of Labour.
What’s a No Board Report?
When conciliation efforts fail to produce a negotiated agreement, the Ministry of Labour’s appointed conciliation officer submits a report to the Minister of Labour. The Minister can establish a Conciliation Board to facilitate further negotiations. They almost never do this; instead, the Minister of Labour will issue a “No Board” report, indicating that a Conciliation Board will not be appointed.
Now What?
Once we receive the “No Board,” a 17-day “cooling-off” period begins. Following this period, the union will legally be able to exercise its right to withdraw its labour (a strike). Conversely, the employer also has the option to implement a lockout.
This period will be marked by heightened workplace tension but rest assured that your Bargaining Committee remains committed to pursuing negotiations in good faith. We are, however, prepared to do whatever is necessary to achieve our first contract. We urge management to engage with us constructively to reach an agreement that avoids work disruptions.
No one likes uncertainty, and we are deeply disappointed with management’s juvenile negotiating tactics. We will ensure consistent communication via email updates.
If you know any colleagues not receiving these communications, please direct them to email cdevison@cupe.ca so they can be added to our distribution list.
Don’t worry, sisters, brothers and friends, CUPE, Canada’s largest union, faces employers like ours every day, and they are committed to supporting us through this process.
Stay tuned for more.
In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee (Liliana, Analiza and Morena)