The bargaining committee were back at the table last week for our first round of negotiations in 2024. The week proved to be eventful, filled with progress and opportunities that bring us closer to achieving our collective goals.
Of course, all bargaining continues to be centered around non-monetary proposals, and where we once saw little to no movement on these demands, some real progress was made this week. This significant step marks a crucial phase in our pursuit of a fair and equitable agreement. These victories underscore our commitment to securing not only financial gains, but also improvements in working conditions and other vital aspects of our employment.
It’s worth noting that our steadfast insistence on bargaining non-monetary issues before monetary demands over the past year is beginning to yield results. The employer’s recent engagement in meaningful negotiations constitutes a significant breakthrough which validates the effectiveness of our strategy and strengthens our resolve. Furthermore, the recent change in negotiators on both sides has injected new energy and momentum into the discussions. While progress may have been slow in the past, the current pace indicates a positive trajectory towards achieving our objectives. The employer finally showed up at the negotiation table.
However, despite this progress, challenges persist. The most significant challenge is that the employer continues to be unwilling to recognize our uniqueness as public servants. It is a real challenge to negotiate articles that are distinct to our group, as the employer is steadfast in negotiating common language into all collective agreements with the Treasury board. This is where your bargaining committee will need the help of all members. The Mobilization Committee will soon reach out to you to galvanize support and demonstrate our uniqueness, especially considering the escalating incidents of violence in our workplaces. We must stand proud, united and strong to show the employer that we will not accept the status quo and deserve to have our unique working conditions recognized. Our solidarity and collective action will be instrumental in shaping the outcome of these negotiations.
Proud. United. Strong.
Your negotiation committee.
UCCO-SACC-CSN