Questions and Answers about the April 24-25 Strike Vote for members of OPSEU’s Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED)
When is the vote?
Monday April 24 and Tuesday April 25 for in-person voting. Phone-in voting is Tuesday April 25 only (for all designated members in remote locations). You may vote from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at most locations.
How will the vote be conducted?
We are conducting the vote two ways: in person voting at various locations around the province and phone-in voting for our more remote store locations. In either case the vote must be by secret ballot.
Who can vote?
All employees in the bargaining unit represented by OPSEU are eligible to vote. That includes all OPSEU members and OPSEU non-members, including full-time, part-time, casual, seasonal, and 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.
I work in a remote location far from any ballot locations. How will I vote?
Vote locations have been arranged to be in reasonable proximity to a number of work locations. We make all efforts to ensure a vote location is near you, however in determining the locations for the vote, we have identified many locals and stores that are quite far from the nearest vote location. Members who work in these more remote locations will be eligible to vote by phone. You will receive a package by mail with instructions and your PIN number.
A list of stores and locals that have been identified as remote locations can be found at the bottom of the list of voting locations online here: https://opseu.org/information/strike-vote-locations
If I receive a phone-in PIN number can I also have the option of voting at a polling station?
You should make every effort to vote on Tuesday April 25 by phone. If you are on the phone-in list and you show up to vote at a ballot location your vote will be segregated.
IMPORTANT: If you are having difficulties with your PIN number or you did not receive a mail-out package and your store is eligible to vote by phone, please call David Loeffen at 1-800-268-7376 ext. 8718 for assistance.
What does it mean if my vote is segregated?
This means that your vote will be kept aside, in a manner that does not allow anyone to know how you voted. Staff will then attempt to verify that you are a member of the bargaining unit, and that you have not voted at another location or by phone, before your vote can be counted.
If my store is a remote location with phone voting, and I haven’t received my letter with the PIN and password to use when calling in by Thursday, April 20, who should I contact?
If you haven’t received your package by Thursday, April 20, please contact OPSEU Administrative Assistant Dave Loeffen at 1-800-268-7376 x8718.
Where will I vote?
Voting locations and times can be found at https://opseu.org/information/strike-vote-locations
What will the ballots say?
YES – I authorize the Bargaining Team to call a strike if necessary.
NO – I do not authorize the Bargaining Team to call a strike if necessary.
Can I vote closer to where I live or in a different region?
All members across the province are encouraged to vote at the polling location assigned to their local and store. If you vote at a different polling location from that assigned to your local, your ballot will be segregated.
I will be on vacation at the time of the vote. Can I vote now?
No. Under OPSEU policy, there are no advance polls and proxy voting is not permitted.
I have a disability that will prevent me from attending a balloting location. How will I vote?
Every effort will be made to make all balloting locations accessible to persons with disabilities. Those employees who cannot be accommodated at the balloting location are to inform their local, who will in turn let OPSEU know, and we will look into making alternate arrangements.
What do I need for identification in order to vote?
Any proper identification is acceptable, e.g. union card, work-issued identification, driver’s license, etc. Photo ID is encouraged if you don’t have your union card.
What happens if I am not on the voter’s list?
If your name is not on the voter’s list, you will still be allowed to vote providing you have a piece of identification (a current pay stub is also acceptable). Your vote will then be segregated in a manner that does not allow anyone to know how you voted. OPSEU staff will then attempt to verify you as a member of the bargaining unit.
I’m not a signed up member. Can I sign a membership card at the voting location?
Yes, membership cards will be available at the voting location.
How are votes tabulated?
Votes are province-wide. A majority of more than 50 per cent of ballots cast is needed to either accept or reject a vote in favour of a strike.
On count day, will anyone from my local be present?
On counting day, members are entitled to attend the counting sessions as scrutineers. The assigned staff or Designated Returning Officer (DRO) will be assigning members. Members selected as scrutineers should book off work, if necessary, through OPSEU’s 80-20 fund.
When will vote results be released?
The count will be conducted immediately following the closing of polling stations at 9 p.m. on Tuesday April 25. Vote results will be made public as soon as possible following the provincial count, and will be posted on www.opseu.org/LBEDbargaining.