Members of CUPE 5525,

It’s official: the no-board report is in, and the cooldown period has started.

This puts us in a legal strike or lockout position as of April 4th at 12:01 am.

While we would obviously prefer to reach a negotiated agreement, the time has come for us to prepare for job action.

Next Steps:
Employers like ours will attempt to divide the membership to achieve their objectives. They do this through lies, threats, and misinformation. But these tactics won’t work on locals with an engaged and united membership.

That’s why we need you to help us prepare for whatever comes next. There’s an old saying in the labour movement – “The best way to avoid a strike is to be prepared for one.”

And now, that’s precisely what we need to do. We need you!

Many Hands Make Light Work
As we work with CUPE National to schedule education meetings and strike preparation workshops, we seek to recruit at least four members to act as “Picket Captains.”

Picket Captains help implement the union’s strike plan, lead a group of members on a picket line, and act as liaisons between the members and the Strike Committee.

CUPE will provide the plan, training, and all the supplies you need.

If you’re interested or would like more information about the role, please reply to this email, and someone from the strike committee will be in touch. The more members we have helping, the more effective we will be (and will result in less work for everyone else).

Remember, this is your union. Action now prevents problems later. Please respond to this email for more information or to sign up for the job!

In Solidarity,
Your Bargaining Committee (Liliana, Analiza and Morena)

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)