Click here to download the PDF.
A key priority throughout this round of bargaining has been to improve mental health benefits to allow members to self-select appropriate treatment options. Too many members have been impacted by mental health injuries because of correctional work, and we have lost an alarming number to suicide.
While the Employer has claimed that employee mental health was a key priority in bargaining – any offer made on mental health benefit improvements was tied to significant concessions that the Union would never accept. Simply put – their actions didn’t match their words.
From the beginning of this round of bargaining the Union has been clear that mental health benefit improvements needed to be addressed as a stand-alone item and not leveraged against the Employer’s priorities.
In June 2026, following the release of the In The Light Of Day report from the Deputy Chief Coroner, the Employer approached the Union with a proposal on mental health benefit improvements that was not attached to previous concession demands. As a result of the Employer’s change of position and the ongoing need for mental health improvements for members, the Union agreed to enter negotiations on this specific issue prior to arbitration. After difficult negotiations, the Union was successful in achieving the following key improvements:
- Effective August 1, 2026 annual maximum for mental health services increased to $10,000 for employees (previously $2,500) and $3,000 for dependents (previously $1,750);
- Expanded list of eligible mental health practitioners;
- Introduction of coverage for in-patient residential treatment for addictions and mental health up to a lifetime maximum of $30,000 per employee effective September 1, 2026;
- 100% Employer paid Supplementary Health and Hospital (excluding hearing and vision) at single coverage for FXT employees beginning April 1, 2027:
- Current FXT employees will have a one-time opportunity to opt-into this benefit package. FXT Employees who opt-in will have their payment-in-lieu of benefits reduced to 4% (from 6% currently) in recognition of these employer paid benefits;
- All FXT employees hired after April 1, 2027 will be automatically enrolled in this benefit package and will receive 4% payment-in-lieu of benefits.
The Parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement on August 6, 2026. Additional details on the benefits package will be available in the future outlining the full details.
The fight to achieve these mental health improvements has been a long road. These improvements would not have been possible without the relentless pressure over the years from successive bargaining teams and our provincial committees who kept this important issue at the forefront of discussions. From the countless meetings that were held with bureaucrats and decision makers explaining the urgency of the crisis to the members on the frontline who engaged with our mobilizers signing the legislative petition – together – we all did our part.
We also want to thank the OPSEU/SEFPO members and leaders who stood beside us at rallies, signed our petition, and supported us along the way.
Finally, we must recognize the importance of the work our allies in public safety organizations and mental health advocacy groups did on our behalf publicly and privately in rooms we couldn’t access. They stood beside us from the beginning of this fight, recognizing the toll that correctional work has and the importance of our mental health.
A profound thank you. These significant improvements will have lasting impacts on correctional workers’ mental health and wellbeing.
Arbitration Hearing
The arbitration hearing was held on August 17, 2026 in Toronto. Each party presented oral arguments and now the decision is with Arbitrator Goodfellow. There is no timeline for when a decision will be released. As a reminder, the arbitrator’s decision is final and binding.
As discussed throughout the round, below are the briefs outlining the Union and Employer’s positions, as well as the reply briefs. We highly recommend that members review these documents to have a good understanding of the parties’ positions.
- Union Brief – July 22, 2026
- Employer Brief – July 22, 2026
- Union Reply Brief – August 11, 2026
- Employer Reply Brief – August 11, 2026
The Bargaining Team would like to extend a huge thank you to all members in the division for their continued support through this round of bargaining. Stay tuned for additional updates once the arbitration decision has been issued.
Remember: LockTalk is your only official source of accurate bargaining information. If you have questions, please contact the bargaining team at [email protected]
In solidarity,
Janet Laverty, Chair, Correctional Bargaining Team
Adam Cygler, Vice-Chair, Correctional Bargaining Team