Local demand set finished; time now to prioritize your issues
Local demand setting has been completed at almost all 24 colleges. It’s now time for you to help set the overall priorities that your team will take into bargaining our new contract.
The bargaining team met in early February to organize the demands submitted and to develop a survey (in English and French) that has been sent to all members. The survey asks each member to review the submitted demands and provide anonymous feedback about personal priorities. Your collective feedback will inform the bargaining team in making its recommendations for final demand setting, March 29-30, in Toronto.
There, delegates will vote on the submitted demands and the team’s recommendations, and finalize a list of proposals to exchange with management at the bargaining table.
You can complete the survey by visiting: http://bit.ly/1ezSOhO
The survey must be completed no later than March 5, 2014.
“There is plenty of preparation that needs to be done before bargaining starts in a few months,” said Florry Foster, chair of the bargaining team Chair. “Each local should be organizing their communications committees and other internal structures to assist the team in keeping the members informed.”
Members need to update their private contact information with their local OPSEU offices. It is essential that we have secure email addresses for all members as sensitive bargaining information cannot be safely distributed on the employer’s email systems.
The team will be working closely with OPSEU campaigns officers to develop a new support staff (CAAT-S) Facebook page, as well as a bargaining page on the OPSEU website. Again, we will not be posting confidential information or strategies as these pages are public. We also ask that members be sensitive to the fact that all comments posted on Facebook could and probably will be viewed by management.
A direct and private email address to contact the team has been established. The new address is: [email protected]. Members with questions or concerns should send them directly to this team email address. Wherever possible, questions and answers will be posted on the OPSEU bargaining team page.
“We are listening,” Florry pledged, on behalf of the team. “We will do our best to keep members as informed as possible through every stage of bargaining.”
