Who: You, Your Bargaining Team and OPS Unified mobilizersWhen: Every third Thursday of the month from 7 pm to 8 pm EST (6 pm CST)Where: ZoomWhy: To keep the lines of communication openThis month we’ll be joined by guest speaker JP Hornick, President of OPSEU/SEFPO, as we discuss OPS Unified Bargaining updates and the political context in which our bargaining is taking place.The Employer is noticing that OPS Unified is Organizing to Win.
Get involved and talk about bargaining with your co-workers! Ensure you are on your lunch/break and outside of the workplace when you have union discussions about bargaining. This one-on-one organizing is vital to help OPS Unified achieve a high membership participation in bargaining! Remember not to use employer equipment for union activities.The employer continues to dismantle the OPS by privatizing, downsizing and closing facilities. The employer often attempts to divide us and intimidate our members to stop them from participating in union activity.We won’t let them -Unified we win, divided we fail!
Now is the time to educate yourselves on your union activity rights as spelled out in our Collective Agreement.Article 3.2 of the OPS Unified Collective Agreement states that, “there shall be no discrimination or harassment practiced by reason of an employee’s membership or activity in the Union”.It is your right to be a signed up and active member of your union, whether you are fixed term, seasonal, or a full-time employee. These rights were hard fought, and we need solidarity to maintain them. Collective Agreements are only useful if you exercise your rights and enforce them.If you feel you are being targeted due to bargaining actions, it is imperative you speak with your union steward, president or your area staff representative.
- Update your member information on the OPSEU/SEFPO Member Portal
- Join your regional Area Coordinating Group (ACG).
- Review the EES Guide
- Complete the EES Form and send it to [email protected]
- Keep up to date on bargaining at:
- OPS Unified Bargaining
- Previous Table Talk Issues
What are you Unified for?
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“UNIFIED FOR bargaining a better contract, to stop privatization and strengthen public services.”“Tell us what you’re Unified For”Mobilizer Update
Let’s extend a warm welcome to the new mobilizers who have joined us. Your involvement is essential in building solidarity, keeping members informed, and ensuring a strong bargaining process. We look forward to working together to win as OPS Unified members.Please welcome our new mobilizers.The Bargaining Team would also like to sincerely thank all current, returning and past mobilizers for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to supporting our members. Your efforts have played a vital role in strengthening our collective voice and advocating for fair working conditions. We value your leadership and know that you will continue to unify members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Bargaining Team is maintaining a list of your questions sent in by email, at Table Talk Thursdays and other meetings. We know that many members may be asking similar questions so the team is compiling a FAQ for OPS members.If you have any bargaining questions, feel free to send them to [email protected] and/or attend Table Talk Thursdays.We’ll be sharing the FAQ very soon (and continuing to add to it as more questions come in) and adding it to our LinkTree!Question from a recent Table Talk: When was Notice given to the employer? What was the rationale for the timing? The Bargaining Team is required under the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement (CECBA) to provide two Notices to Bargain. The first Notice was for the parties to begin bargaining Essential and Emergency Services. That notice was sent in June 2024, within the legislated timeline.This started the Essential Service bargaining process. We are currently negotiating Essential and Emergency Services. In accordance with our bargaining procedures Essential and Emergency Service agreements must be completed first.In addition, the parties are also obligated to send a second Notice to Bargain to bargain the Collective Agreement. This second Notice to Bargain was sent by the union on December 12, 2024 to avoid a “roll over” of the current Collective Agreement. This process adheres to the legislated timeline.The current Collective agreement will remain in effect until a new collective agreement is ratified or a strike or lockout occurs. In the event of a strike or lockout the Collective Agreement is suspended until the ratification of a new agreement.The Bargaining Team did this to preserve your rights. As the Notice to Bargain was filed prior to December 31, 2024, your rights to any potential retroactive award/retro pay is protected.
Did You Know?
OPS Unified Bargaining Team has a caucus room at Convention?Yes! We are meeting Thursday April 24th at 5 pm…see you there!We’ll provide updates on bargaining, our campaign and Demand Set.Get Unified
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In Solidarity,On behalf of the OPS Unified Bargaining team
Amanda Usher — Chair
Leslie Aiston — Vice Chair