Voting on the LBED tentative agreement is open and will close on June 10 at 9 p.m.
Because of the pandemic, there will be no in-person ballot boxes. All voting will take place virtually on the Simply Voting secure electronic voting platform.
Simply Voting is a Canadian company – it will email you a link with your unique electoral ID and PIN.
Please note: Please check your junk or spam folder for an email from vote@simplyvoting.com. If you’re sure you have not yet received an email from vote@simplyvoting.com, send an email to lbedbargaining@opseu.org or call 1-833-357-2384.
FAQ on LBED ratification vote
Click here to download a printable PDF version.
Q. When does the vote take place?
Voting opens on Tuesday, June 8 at 8 am EST and remains open until 9 pm EST on Thursday, June 10.
Q. What am I voting on?
You’re voting on the tentative settlement that the two parties (LCBO and OPSEU/SEFPO) reached in negotiations.
Q. How will the vote be conducted?
The vote will be conducted by online secret ballot. The vote is being administered completely by the Canadian company Simply Voting.
Q. What is Simply Voting?
Simply Voting is a Canadian company that offers secure online and telephone voting.
Q. Can I vote by email or phone?
You can vote virtually using a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone via a web link that will be sent to you by Simply Voting. Phone voting will only be available for those members who do not have access to the internet.
If you would like to register to vote by phone, please notify your Local President, regional mobilizer or staff rep immediately, and confirm with them that OPSEU/SEFPO has your proper home address.
Please note: you’ll only be able to vote once. If you vote on your computer, you won’t also be able to vote via phone.
Q. How will I receive my ballot?
A link to your ballot will be emailed to your personal email address by Simply Voting. It will come from the address vote@simplyvoting.com. This email will also contain your unique Elector ID number and your password
Phone in Voting only – Your elector ID and password will be physically mailed to your home address, please contact your local president immediately, and confirm with them that OPSEU/SEFPO has your proper home address.
Q. When will I get my ballot?
You will be emailed confirmation that you’re registered to vote by June 4. Simply Voting will email you your unique Elector ID number and PIN when the vote opens at 8 a.m. on June 8. It will come from the address vote@simplyvoting.com.
If you don’t receive either of these emails, call 1-833-357-2384.
If you registered to vote by phone, your unique Elector ID number and password will be mailed physically to you.
Q. How do I vote once I’ve received my ballot?
If you receive your unique Elector ID and password in an email, the email will also contain a link that will allow you to quickly cast your ballot. You can also visit https://opseulbedvote.simplyvoting.com and enter your unique Elector ID number and password – you’ll then be taken to the ballot.
If you receive your unique Elector ID by physical mail, phone the number provided by Simply Voting and enter your unique Elector ID number and password – you’ll then be taken to the ballot.
Q. How will I know my vote was received?
You’ll cast your ballot on Simply Voting’s website: https://opseulbedvote.simplyvoting.com. Once you’ve voted, Simply Voting will ask you to confirm the vote you’re about to make. Once you’ve confirmed and submitted your vote, Simply Voting will inform you that your ballot has been received.
Q. Will any of my co-workers or managers know how I voted?
No. The vote is completely confidential.
Q. Will OPSEU/SEFPO know how I voted or if I voted?
No. The vote is completely confidential.
Q. Will I get any reminders to vote?
Yes. Simply voting will email up to two reminders to people who haven’t voted.
Q. What will be the wording on the ballot?
- YES I ACCEPT the tentative settlement.
- NO I REJECT the tentative settlement and AUTHORIZE the bargaining team to call a strike, if necessary.
Q. Who can vote?
All LCBO employees in the bargaining unit(s) represented by OPSEU are eligible to vote. That includes all OPSEU members, including full-time, part-time, casual, seasonal, fixed term employees. It includes those who have not signed union cards. Members on Long Term Income Protection (LTIP), Worker’s Compensation, maternity and other leaves are also entitled to vote.
Q. Why can we not vote in person?
Online and telephone voting is the safest possible way to vote during the pandemic.
Q. What if I don’t want to provide my email and phone number?
This vote is being held electronically in order to observe pandemic safety. If OPSEU/SEFPO does not have an accurate email or mailing address, you will not receive the unique Elector ID number and PIN you’ll need to vote.
Q. Is the electronic voting secure? How do we know the results are accurate?
Voting is being handled entirely by Simply Voting, a Canadian company with a solid reputation for accuracy, reliability, accessibility, and security.
Q. What happens if the majority of members who vote accept the agreement?
The tentative agreement becomes your new collective agreement and will be in force until March 31, 2024.
Q. What happens if the majority of members who vote reject the agreement?
If the mediated settlement is not ratified, the bargaining team is authorized to call a strike, if necessary. The bargaining team would then attempt to get the employer back to the bargaining table and continue negotiating. However, the employer concessions could come back to the table.
Q. I am away on the vote dates. Can I vote in advance?
No. Under OPSEU/SEFPO policy, there are no advance polls and no proxy voting allowed.
Q. I live in an area without reliable Internet. How will I vote?
Simply Voting allows for dial-in phone voting. Please register by contacting your Local President, Regional Mobilizer or staff rep immediately to ensure OPSEU/SEFPO has your proper mailing address. Your unique Elector ID and password will then be mailed to you physically by Simply Voting.
Q. I have a disability that will prevent me from voting online. How will I vote?
Every effort will be made to make online voting accessible to persons with disabilities. Those members who cannot be accommodated are to inform their Local President.
Q. How are votes tabulated?
Votes are counted province-wide. A majority of more than 50 per cent is needed to either accept or reject the tentative agreement.
Q. When will vote results be released?
The count will be conducted immediately following the close of voting at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 10. Vote results will be made public as soon as possible following the count.
Q. If I don’t use the QR code, can I still vote?
Yes, you can vote without using the QR code.
The QR code that has appeared in most Bargaining Bulletins simply gives you a quick way to access this short form to ensure OPSEU/SEFPO has your most up-to-date contact information: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/qr_code/lbedmobilizing
In order to receive the unique Elector ID number and password you’ll need to vote, it is vital that union have your accurate email address and/or mailing address.
To check:
- Call 1-800-268-7376 or 416-443-8888 and say you’re an LBED member looking to update your contact info
- Send your name, personal email address, and personal cell to lbedbargaining@opseu.org
- Update your contact info through the OPSEU/SEFPO member portal
- Fill out a short online form by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/qr_code/lbedmobilizing
