Table Talk #15 – Our Time is Now! – OPSEU/SEFPO Convention 2025

OPS Unified Table Talk - The latest bargaining and mobilizing news for OPS Unified members
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This year, approximately 2,500 OPSEU/SEFPO members — including Delegates, Alternates, and Observers — attended   Convention 2025!

These 2,500 members came together for three and a half days to make connections with fellow members and discuss the many resolutions and constitutional amendments brought to the floor.

As OPSEU/SEFPOs highest decision-making body, Convention attendees successfully adopted many of the resolutions and constitutional amendments that will shape the future of our union.

The momentum felt during this year’s Convention reaffirmed the strength and unity of the OPSEU/SEFPO membership, emphasizing that our time truly is now.

Central Employee Relations Committee (CERC) Caucus Update

CERC caucus was a full room! With OPS unified members gathered to hear about high priority grievances at the arbitration level, mobilizer news, important member issues at the CERC table, and of course, bargaining!

Some key takeaways:

  • Bill 124 Retro Pay policy grievance hearing will be in November 2025.
  • Members who are being denied coverage from Manulife should be contacting the Joint Insurance Benefit Review Committee (JIBRC)
  • Mobilizers are doing fantastic work connecting and building back our bargaining unit! They are using time to educate and organize our membership
  • Bargaining is currently in essential and emergency service negotiations
  • There is an agreement at CERC that MERC chairs are to receive lists of newly hired members.

Thank you to all those who attended!

Important links

OPS Unified

Call to action

Send Us your pictures of members wearing OPS Unified gear at [email protected]

Visit https://opseushop.myshopify.com/ for more

What are you Unified for?

Post, share and subscribe on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook and Instagram logos

“UNIFIED FOR bargaining a better contract, to stop privatization and strengthen public services.”

“Tell us what you’re Unified For”

Success!! Union Board Blitz

Great job to everyone for showcasing your updated union boards!  Many thanks to the OPS Unified Mobilizers for sparking this initiative.  This was a refreshing and powerful way to express our unity.

It’s not too late to get the materials to Unify your union board.  Speak to a mobilizer or Area Coordinator to learn more!

This collage is of the submissions from across the province:

A collage of union boards from locals and workplaces across the province, showing messages of solidarity and OPS Unified strength!
Join us
Frequently asked questions

FAQ Document Now Available!

On April 16, 2025, Table Talk released an FAQ document prepared by the Bargaining Team. It answers many common questions from members and includes a table of contents for easy navigation. This will be a live document with a link.

Check out the FAQs here to stay informed on the issues that matter most!

Join Us On May 15 for the next Table Talk Thursday —  on a new link

The words Who: The bargaining team would like to invite Unified members to Table Talk
Thursdays.

What is Table Talk Thursdays? Table Talk Thursdays are Zoom sessions where YOUR bargaining team shares updates and insights with union members about ongoing negotiations and activities. Join us to stay informed and engaged with the latest news and developments.

Where: It happens over ZOOM. Register here.

When: This happens every third Thursday of the month from 7 pm to 8 pm EST (6 pm CST). The next session will be May 15, 2025.

Why: To keep the lines of communication open!

A speech bubble with a megaphone and the words 'Did you know?'

What Are You Unified For?

Over the last 32 years we have taken a lot of pay freezes, wage grid freezes and numbers that are well below the cost-of-living increases.

Below is a chart showing our previous wage settlements.

We are worth more! Let’s get Unified to bargain for Wages that show us Respect. 

Fun and games

In OPS Unified, I start with proposals, pass through tension, end in a handshake—or a strike, after a few years of enforcement; I start again no matter what. What am I?

Answer: The OPS Unified bargaining cycle.

Get Unified

Download one of these posters to add to your Union Board!

In Solidarity,

On behalf of the OPS Unified Bargaining team
Amanda Usher — Chair
Leslie Aiston — Vice Chair