Thank you for the solidarity and support you showed during our first bargaining session. Your unity gives us strength at the table as we advance members’ priorities and defend our working conditions.
Proposals exchanged
The first session focused on exchanging proposals. Your National Bargaining Committee came prepared with the detailed bargaining demands, which were adopted by members at general assemblies across the country. The employer had not prepared its proposal in detail, leaving several gaps throughout its package to discuss articles instead of clear proposals for negotiations.
We will not negotiate with a shifting target.
The National Bargaining Committee told the employer that good faith bargaining implies that its demands must be clear so we can understand and assess its position before we can engage in negotiations. We put the employer on notice that we are considering our options in response to its stance that it can introduce new demands at any point, and that we expect it to clarify its intentions and define all its demands when we return in December.
Regressive employer demands
Many of the employer’s demands that were tabled are extremely regressive. Clearly, the employer is not happy with previous negotiated terms and wishes to go back in time. When questioned why a monetary proposal was not made in their proposal, the employer alluded to offers with other bargaining agents currently negotiating, highlighting those offers as the pattern it wishes to establish. Our bargaining priorities remain those of UCCO-SACC-CSN members.
The union and employer bargaining proposals as tabled will both be posted on the union’s website shortly.
Next bargaining dates
The union submitted dates for 15 bargaining sessions up to and including June 2027. The employer accepted only four with the next session scheduled from December 8th to10th. We demanded the employer to arrive prepared in December.
Global Agreement
As you are aware, during the union’s Mid-Mandate meeting, the Commissioner informed the union in writing that it did not intend to negotiate or renew our Global Agreement into the future. Members from coast to coast have expressed their discontent with the Commissioner on his intention, and we thank everyone for their solidarity. The union will continue to fight this proposed regression as the negotiated terms of the Global Agreement are extremely important and hard-won working conditions for the membership. As the Commissioner signaled his intention, your National Bargaining Committee has now tabled the Global Agreement content, and our proposals for this round, with the Treasury Board. When this was tabled, your Committee made clear to the employer that status quo articles are not new proposals, nor do they factor into the costing of the package as they are currently funded acquired rights on which to build our future.
Stay informed and mobilized
Read the demand packages, share this update, and stay engaged in your union. Our strength at the table depends in large part on the solidarity we build and maintain in every institution. Clearly, this round of negotiations is going to be a fight, but moving “Forward United”, we will achieve the agreement that reflects our work and our priorities.
Forward United
In solidarity,
Your National Bargaining Committee
