Union News - December 2022
As we embark on the Public Interest Commission process, mediation dates have been set for December 20-23 in Ottawa. At this meeting we will endeavour, as always, to make gains at the table for the membership.
We entered bargaining with a sense of optimism, especially having united to ensure benefits gravely needed by Canadians were administered at literally a moment’s notice. We thought the employer would recognize the amazing work you do, in addition to work-life balance issues the membership highlighted for this round. We hoped the employer would recognize the economic hardships that our members face because of inflation. Alas, it has not been that way at all, and we were left with no choice but to declare impasse. The Labour Board certified and agreed with our claim and as a result set up mediation dates in December, to be followed by Public Interest Commission hearings in the first months of the new year.
If you have been around for the last several contract negotiations, you will know that nothing ever gets the employer moving on our demands until pressure has been put on them. This is fact, and we always do better with that pressure. On the economic demands, we have consistently negotiated raises that met or exceeded inflation – this is nothing new. We did this with your pressure, every time.
For those across the country who saw what happened with education workers in Ontario over the last several weeks – this is what solidarity looks like and the combined pressure of membership literally overturned the most heinous anti-labour legislation seen in the country. That’s what people power does. They won by showing their strength. It is realistically the only way to win when fighting the power for what is just! But of course, the fight didn’t end there – by the time of printing, the education workers of CUPE issued a 5-day strike warning and it will come down to their resolve and perseverance. We stand with them, and time will tell how hard the fight is against a government intent on being unreasonable. The entire point being nothing will come without collective strength and dedication.
While we can never rule out similar legislation, we don’t anticipate it on the horizon considering the Prime Minister took a principled issue against Ontario using it. What we do have is a boss with the power of delay, who flatly rejects work-life balance issues, and most offensively, has not even shown up with an economic counteroffer. Nothing. Zero. While the legislation may not come our way, the battle may very well.
Therefore, we need to keep up and frankly increase the pressure big time. We will win when we show that we will stand up for what is right. Those making astronomical bonuses quite obviously don’t understand the pressures of workers’ lives and their economic needs. It is our membership who will win this contract, with numbers and strength standing up to the power. It is completely possible we will see an economic offer at mediation – but if so, don’t get your hopes up because if it is anything like the other public service offers on their tables, it will be completely out of touch with the current economic reality.
We can do this; we can show them that a reasonable and fair offer is the minimum. We stepped up when the employer needed us to deliver their mandate, and it’s time for them to recognize that dedication through a contract that reflects today’s realities.
Keep up the fight and let’s win this!
Adam Jackson
2nd Vice President, responsible for collective bargaining