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.
WHEN: This happens every third Thursday of the month from 7 pm to 8 pm EDT (6 pm CDT). The next session will be October 16, 2025 at 7 pm ET.
WHY: To keep the lines of communication open!
Join your regional Area Coordinating Group (ACG).
Complete the EES Form and send it to [email protected]
Keep up to date on bargaining at OPS Unified Bargaining
Previous Table Talk Issues
OPS Unified Frequently Asked Questions
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Bargaining Update
Your OPS Unified Bargaining Team continues to meet regularly with the Employer as we work through the Essential and Emergency Services Agreements (EESA) – an important step in the negotiation process.
These agreements are an important step in the negotiation process as no strike or lockout can happen until these agreements are signed off by both parties. By completing these agreements ahead of issues bargaining, the Bargaining Team will be in a stronger position when we get to the table for issues bargaining.
The Bargaining Team has heard your questions about the process of EESA bargaining. To help every member of OPS Unified understand what is involved, we’ve shared a breakdown below to highlight the scale and importance of the work ahead of us.
Additional questions related to EESA bargaining have also been covered in our living FAQ document that you can find here:
Frequently Asked QuestionsEESA Bargaining
The process of EESA bargaining involves reviewing roughly 1,500 distinct job classifications within OPS Unified to determine if the service should be grouped as an essential or emergency service. Each job duty is assessed and negotiated based on CECBA criteria, technological changes, ministry reorganizations, and evolving service delivery models. This process has not been fully completed in over 20 years.
Employer Disclosure
The Bargaining Team requires certain information from the Employer’s disclosure documents in order to draft proposals for negotiations. The Employer only began providing these disclosure documents in July 2025. Since then, the Bargaining Team has received thousands of documents and is currently in the process of reviewing and negotiating them.
Where we are now
At this stage, the Bargaining team is focused solely on negotiating EESAs. We are meeting with the Employer three days per week to continue these negotiations.
Issues Bargaining
Issues Bargaining will begin once EESA bargaining is completed, as outlined in the OPS Unified Bargaining Procedures and directed and voted on by the delegates in attendance at the 2022 OPS Divisional Meeting.
We also want to emphasize something crucial:
We’re committed to keeping you updated and ensuring your voice remains central in this process.
As discussions progress, there may be times when we reach out to members directly for clarification or additional context regarding information provided by the employer for EESAs. Your insights are invaluable and help ensure we are accurately representing the needs and priorities of the membership at the table.
Stay tuned for further updates as we move forward together, unified and focused on achieving a fair and respectful agreement.
Solidarity Bulletin
OPS Unified members often hear that solidarity is important, but what is it exactly?
Solidarity is the collective strength that enables workers to challenge power imbalances and achieve meaningful gains through collective action, such as work to rule or strikes. It is a commitment to action and a vital tool for building power and protecting workers’ rights.
As members of OPS Unified, we know that when we stand in solidarity with other workers, we make our fight stronger.
Here are some recent examples of how we are building solidarity.
OPS Unified CERC leadership joined AMAPCEO’s rally for remote work. OPS members picketed with Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Support Staff (CAAT-S) province wide. OPSEU/SEFPO members supported Air Canada flight attendants against unfair back-to-work legislation.Please pay attention to your personal emails from OPSEU/SEFPO where you can learn how to support the various bargaining units also in negotiations.
Actions you can take to support OPS Unified:
- Wear Black Shirt on Wednesdays to support your Bargaining Team.
- Organize your workplace by connecting with new members and ensuring they’re registered.
- Enforce the Collective Agreement by taking your breaks and working only your scheduled hours, refusing voluntary overtime.
Demand Set Survey
The demand set survey is now closed as of September 26th, 2025.
The results will reflect what matters most to our members, and together, we’ll move forward stronger than ever.
The Bargaining Team will continue to keep members updated on demand set so stay tuned!
Our collective action sends a clear message: we are getting stronger than ever, Unified in solidarity, and determined to move forward – not backward.
What are you Unified for?
Post, share and subscribe on Facebook and Instagram
“UNIFIED FOR bargaining a better contract, to stop privatization and strengthen public services.”
“Tell us what you’re Unified For”
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
Newsletter Issue #20