CBS support members gear up for contract bargaining
It’s that time again! We’re heading into negotiations for a new collective agreement.
Our current four-year contract with Canadian Blood Services expired on March 31, 2017, and dates have been set for negotiations on our new deal, starting April 19 in Toronto.
We want to thank all CBS members who took the time to participate in the demand-setting process and who completed the provincial survey. We’ve closely studied the results of the survey and your local demand sets and we pledge to do our very best to represent your views when we finally sit down at the table with management.
This round of bargaining promises to be tough; the employer has already indicated that. We don’t expect an easy go of it. But we’ve been down this path before and we are determined to build on the gains we have made in previous rounds of bargaining.
Let’s never forget we stand on the frontline of Canada’s blood system. We strongly support a public system for the safe collection of blood and its distribution.
For all of us to succeed we will need the ongoing support of you, our members. Showing the employer that we stand united as a group can be a powerful tool at the bargaining table. When the employer looks at us from across the bargaining table, they ought to see a forest of more than 800 faces, and not just the five of us representing you.
We look forward to your continued support as we put together a new collective agreement.
In solidarity,
Your CBS Support Bargaining Team
Confirmed bargaining dates
To date, the employer and your bargaining team have confirmed the following dates for contract negotiations:
April 19-20
April 26-28
May 16-18
As the bargaining process moves forward, we will continue to provide you with updates through the Bloodlines Bargaining Bulletin. Be sure to regularly check your Inbox for the latest news from the bargaining table.
CBS support: Who are we?
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union represents more than 850 support members at Canadian Blood Services including phlebotomists, donor care assistants, donor services representatives, drivers, laboratory assistants and clerks.
OPSEU represents CBS support members in London, Brampton, Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto.
Your 2017 CBS Support Bargaining Team
Jennifer Johnson, Chair, gingerjj85@live.com
Gloria Blanchford, globright50@gmail.com
Amanda Monette, amandamonette64@gmail.com
Alberto Alvaro, albertoalvaro@live.ca
Geoffrey Cain, local160president@gmail.com