Unified For a Stronger OPS: What We Heard From You
Thank you to the over 9,400 members who completed the 2025 OPS Unified Bargaining Demand Set Survey. Your feedback will provide your bargaining team with a clear direction when we prepare for issues bargaining and, when the time comes, build our future Unified issues-bargaining proposals. Every response in this survey represents a real experience and a real worker’s voice. The results show strong common themes across our membership that will drive our work forward.
Today, we are releasing the OPS Unified Bargaining Demand Set Survey Topline Report provided to us by Stratcom. This topline snapshot provides us with a high-level view of what is important to members, and the team will be working to break down the information from this report in more detail to make the results more accessible.
Your Bargaining Team will combine this data with feedback from locals, and real-world workplace experiences across all ministries, classifications, and regions to build a bargaining strategy that reflects the priorities of OPS Unified Members.
Whether you’re a fixed-term, seasonal, frontline, administrative, or technical worker – your voice helped us see where members share common ground and where specific issues need dedicated attention. Together, these insights strengthen our mandate and ensure our proposals reflect the full diversity of the OPS Unified membership, because being Unified means standing for all of us.
Some key takeaways from the results show:
- Members are facing significant financial pressure, with wages, COLA, dollar/hour increase, and wage grid changes identified as key concerns for members.
- Fixed-term and seasonal workers continue to experience gaps in being able to afford health and dental benefits.
- Pension improvements remain an important area for many members.
- Many OPS workers report carrying the primary financial responsibility in their households.
The OPS Unified Bargaining Team will continue to review detailed findings and incorporate them into future bargaining strategy discussions and proposals. We will continue to share updates on our progress with OPS Unified Members and thank all those who took the time to participate in the 2025 Bargaining Demand Set Survey.
Your experiences strengthen our work.
Your voice shapes our direction.
Together, we are Unified For a stronger OPS.
The topline report is now available for all members to read.
Topline Report*Please note: The Topline report is in the process of being translated and a French version will be circulated to members once available.*
WHO: Your OPS Unified bargaining team invites all Unified members to join 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 EST (6 pm CST). The next session will be January 15, 2026, at 7 pm EST.
WHY: To keep the lines of communication open and ensure members have direct access to their bargaining team!
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
- Bulletins – Unified for Information
Check out our LinkTree
Key links and information for OPS Unified members including Instagram and Facebook accounts.
As the year winds down, it’s important that we continue to show strong support for our OPS Unified Bargaining Team.
We encourage everyone to wear black T-shirts on Wednesdays and to keep a copy of the Collective Agreement on your desk. These simple actions send a clear message to the employer that we stand united.
Additionally, you may choose to ask your employer to view your corporate file, reinforcing your commitment to transparency and awareness of your rights.
Together, we demonstrate our solidarity and our dedication to a fair and respectful bargaining process.
Stay tuned for action dates and materials.
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 #23