What happens next?

In Canada, you have the Constitutional right to join and participate in a union. But becoming full union members with your co-workers doesn’t happen overnight.

Here’s a roadmap of what lies ahead:

• Once you’ve signed your OPSEU/SEFPO card, encourage your co-workers to do the same. The more quickly a large group of you sign cards, the more quickly you’ll become members!
• Watch your personal email and texts for updates and events.
• Once a large group of you have signed cards, OPSEU/SEFPO files an application to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) and then two things happen:
  • 1. Your “freeze period” protection begins
  • 2. The ORLB schedules a secret ballot vote within the coming weeks or months.
• Your “freeze period” protection. Once we’ve applied to the ORLB, it is against the law for your managers to arbitrarily change any of your conditions or working conditions. 
• Your secret ballot vote. This is your chance to formally vote on becoming OPSEU/SEFPO members. When the majority of you vote to join OPSEU/SEFPO, you become members!
• Bargaining preparation. With the help and guidance of OPSEU/SEFPO, you will elect your bargaining and decide together on your top priorities – better wages, health and safety protections, and a legal voice to be heard and respected!
• Bargaining begins. Your bargaining team and OPSEU/SEFPO staff bargain your first Collective Agreement.
• Have your say. Once your bargaining team reaches a “tentative agreement” with the employer, you and all your co-workers vote. If the majority vote no, your bargaining team and the employer go back to the table. When the majority vote yes, congratulations! You have your first Collective Agreement.