Category: Bargaining
-
Ontario Council of Educational Workers (OCEW) – Update on Bill 124 Negotiations
In December 2023, the Ministry of Education came to the Ontario Council of Educational Workers (OCEW) table and offered members a “Me-Too” agreement. The agreement set out financial increases on par with amounts awarded to CUPE educational workers. Explicit in this offer was the stipulation that member unions of OCEW would have to sign away…
Andy Pedersen
-
At what cost? Ford’s fast-tracked expansion of alcohol sales nothing but a corporate handout to big box grocers: OPSEU/SEFPO
OPSEU/SEFPO, the union representing LCBO workers, is reacting today to Premier Ford’s announcement that he is fast-tracking his “alcohol everywhere” plan that will make beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages available for sale at participating convenience, grocery, and big box stores – starting in August. “Earlier this spring Ford promised he’d never sell the LCBO,…
-
Community and union leaders announce legal action, demand Ford declare a moratorium to save the Durham hospital
OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick joined labour and community allies today for a news conference at Queen’s Park to save the Durham hospital, located in Grey County, and to support the call for a moratorium on hospital closures. The following news release was distributed by the Ontario Health Coalition: Toronto, Grey Bruce – The Durham hospital,…
-
LCBO Bargaining Update: Monetary proposals & upcoming strike vote
As you know we were back at the table with the employer for two days this week. Initially, there was little movement at the table, though we were able to find agreement on language on two issues (permanent employee transfers and leave of absence for union business). The grievance subcommittee met to discuss changes to…
-
Organize. Fight. Win. A Guide to OPSEU/SEFPO for New Members
Printable PDF Welcome to OPSEU/SEFPO! A message from JP and Laurie As a member of OPSEU/SEFPO, you have the ability to organize together with your coworkers, build your power and win meaningful victories in your workplace, in your community, and beyond. This is what our union, OPSEU/SEFPO is – a collective of workers who tackle…
-
HCCSS members in 5 units ratify new collective agreements ahead of major sector restructuring
Members in the five units representing Home and Community Care Support Services workers at OPSEU/SEFPO have ratified new two-year collective agreements ahead of a major restructuring of the sector imposed by the Ford government. The deals include general wage increases of 3 per cent in each year of the agreement as well as other monetary…
-
LifeLabs workers in Local 389 ratify new agreement!
Barrie, ON – After 13 days on the picket line and over a year in bargaining, LifeLabs workers in Local 389 voted to ratify their new collective agreement. These workers took on a fight against clawbacks to their paid sick leave in exchange for a wage increase. LifeLabs is a multimillion-dollar corporation that makes its…
-
College Faculty: Indigenous Knowledge Update
In September 2022, Arbitrator Kaplan issued a letter of understanding regarding the definition of Indigenous Knowledge for the purposes of appointment factors in the Job Classification Plans. This Award was part of the 2021-2024 academic collective agreement. The Kaplan Award specified that the definition of Indigenous Knowledge would be developed based on respectful consultation with…
-
Stop funding CEOs: OPSEU/SEFPO launches ‘absurd’ ad campaign to stop Ford’s latest ‘alcohol everywhere’ corporate cash grab
OPSEU/SEFPO, the union representing LCBO workers, is going on the offensive with an ad campaign that calls out the absurdity of Premier Ford’s plan to privatize alcohol sales and hand billions of dollars in public revenue over to grocery chains and corporations. The union has launched sofundme.ca – a parody crowdfunding site that’s “Helping Doug…
-
HCCSS members receive Bill 124 Award and reach tentative agreement after marathon weekend of bargaining
After working through the weekend, members in the five units representing Home and Community Care Support Services workers at OPSEU/SEFPO have received an arbitrated Award for Bill 124 and reached tentative agreements in their renewal bargaining. The teams went into the weekend armed with strong strike mandates from a majority of members. Determined to reach…
-
LCBO Bargaining Update: The LCBO may not be willing to fight privatization, but we are!
As you know, we were back at the bargaining table with the employer this week. We came prepared not only to negotiate but to demand answers about the LCBO’s preparations for the marketplace expansion. Frustratingly, it seems like the employer wants to talk about everything but our proposals or the elephant in the room – the fact…
-
OPS Unified Post-Arbitration Award Updated Wage Grid
Following the Arbitration Award, announced January 21st, for the OPS Unified Bargaining Unit, the employer and the union have held ongoing meetings to discuss the implementation of the award. The parties have reviewed the new wage rates for all classifications, except for nurse classifications. This includes the general wage increases for 2022, 2023, and 2024,…
-
OPS Unified Bargaining Team Bios
Amanda Usher – OPS Unified Bargaining Team Chair (CERC Chair) Amanda Usher is an Ambulance Communications Officer (ACO) with over 18 years of experience, including 8 years as a fixed-term contract employee. Amanda has achieved remarkable milestones that have made her a proud OPSEU/SEFPO member and activist. Currently serving as the elected OPS CERC Chair, Amanda…
-
OPS Unified Arbitration Award Update – May 2024
Updated Timeline on Arbitration Award The employer sent out an email to OPS Unified members with an updated timeline on when members can expect wage increases, and retroactive pay from the Award. We have been putting continuous pressure on the employer to speed up the process and are deeply disappointed with their slow rollout. You…
-
OPS Unified Arbitration Award: Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you to the thousands of members who joined our Townhall last month to review the contents of the Bill 124 wage re-opener Award issued by Arbitrator Gerry Lee. Backgrounder The Ford government’s Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, was found to be void and of no effect in November…
-
OPSEU/SEFPO Submission on Bill 166: Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024
Downloadable PDF OPSEU/SEFPO includes a diverse workforce upwards of 45,000 professionals in postsecondary education, spanning all 24 public colleges and 16 public universities and postsecondary institutions in Ontario. These individuals encompass a wide range of roles, including food service workers, professors, counsellors, caretakers, nurses, academic support specialists, instructors, information technologists, lab technologists, international student advisors,…
-
OPSEU/SEFPO in the News: Stop the Cuts at Fleming College!
On Wednesday, April 24th, Fleming College announced the suspension of 29 programs across its campuses – over 1/5 of programs offered – framing the decision as a response to declining fall enrolment after federal caps to international student visas. Union, sector, and student leaders quickly mobilized to push back on this narrative, arguing the case for financial…
-
LockTalk #26 – Arbitration Award Implementation Update: Agreement on some issues and back to Arbitrator Kaplan on others
The implementation of the December 4, 2023 arbitration award has been a slow and frustrating process. Getting the Employer to prioritize implementation has been challenging. Their availability has been incredibly minimal and often lacking the appropriate resources to facilitate meaningful and fulsome discussions that would resolve the outstanding issues. While the Employer stated that implementation…
-
OPSEU/SEFPO in the news round up: LifeLabs workers hit the picket line!
LifeLabs workers in Local 389 have been on strike for a week. They’re holding the line until they get a fair deal that prioritizes patient care and workers over profits. After over a year of bargaining, the employer failed to offer a fair deal that would meet these workers’ needs. The employer wants to claw…