Our long-awaited interest arbitration hearing has been scheduled! It will take place at the end of January 2026.
- Brian Sheehan is the Arbitrator, mutually agreed by our union and the employer.
- OPSEU/SEFPO’s Nominee (our union’s representative at the hearing) is Michele Dawson Haber.
- Ryan Wood, from Bass and Associates, will be representing the employer.
How does arbitration work?
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the arbitration process, here’s a quick summary!Just like hospital professionals, we are also bound by HLDAA (Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act) and do not have the right to strike.As a result, when the union and employer reach an impasse in negotiations, they schedule a hearing with a mutually agreed-upon Arbitrator. Both sides present arguments and evidence for the terms they want in the new or amended Collective Agreement to the Arbitrator at that hearing.Before the hearing, the PHO Bargaining Team will meet with our OPSEU/SEFPO Negotiator, Research Officer and our Nominee. The bargaining team will give input into the arguments that will be made to the Arbitrator on our behalf.The Arbitrator then makes a final and binding decision after hearing arguments from the Union and the Employer – this is called an “Award”. The Award sets the terms for the new or amended Collective Agreement. The Arbitrator’s Award could adopt either party’s position or find a middle ground between the parties’ positions.Our demands are reasonable and we look forward to taking them to arbitration in January.
Save the Date: BPS Conference 2025
The 2025 BPS (Broader Public Sector) Conference and Sector Divisional Meetings will be held November 13-16, 2025! The BPS Conference and Sector Divisional Meetings are held every other year, and feature educational programming, presentations and speakers, opportunities for collaboration and networking across sectors, as well as elections for every BPS sector’s Divisional Executive.As members of BPS Sector 19, Blood Services and Diagnostics, our bargaining units are entitled to send delegates to the BPS Conference. Sector 19 includes members employed predominantly in the provision of collection, screening, laboratory or other diagnostic services, and all other support services in agencies or organizations other than hospitals.
Be a contact person for your local!
We need at least one contact person in every local. If you’d like to volunteer to be a contact for your local, email Casey McGuire at
[email protected].We will continue to keep you up to date on arbitration developments and other news.In solidarity,Your Bargaining Team:Casey McGuire, Bargaining Team Chair, Local 412 –
[email protected]
Cathy Masterson, Bargaining Team Vice Chair, Local 522 –
[email protected]
Jason Gasgas, Local 545 –
[email protected]
Deanna Thompson, Local 432 –
[email protected]
Pak Yip, Local 545 –
[email protected] 
