It’s been a busy week for the Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team (BT)! We met to approve most of our remaining proposals, the membership approved those and other BT-approved proposals at our June General Membership Meeting (GMM), and we scheduled our first meeting with the Employer.
Our BT meeting agenda this week was filled to the brim! We tied up loose ends, finalized some proposals, and prepped for the Thursday GMM. Everything on our agenda got done, but the BT also undertook time-intensive post-meeting work, which included testing systems, organizing proposals, and preparing the GMM presentation.
A key objective for the BT has been to finalize remaining proposals and get them passed by the membership in time for our first meeting with the Employer. We have largely met this goal, which is a major accomplishment! Having a completed proposal package ready to present on day one has been a primary goal in this round of bargaining and was the main reason for electing our BT earlier than usual.
Although a few unfinished proposals remain, including a major update to our collective agreements’ outdated Health and Safety language, the BT can now confidently enter our first day of bargaining with a full package. This includes all our monetary proposals and Unit 2 proposals on “conversions” and LSTAs (Long Service Teaching Appointments). The Employer will have no excuse for delaying bargaining on our account!
During the June 25 GMM, the BT received the Employer’s acceptance of the Union’s request to hold our first meeting together on July 6, 10AM – 12PM. The BT will insist on a hybrid meeting, in accordance with the External Bargaining Parameters approved by membership. The in-person location is awaiting confirmation. More info coming very soon!
CUPE 3903 remains steadfast in its commitment to open bargaining. Accordingly, the BT strongly encourages members to attend our first bargaining meeting in-person, if possible. Non-BT members cannot speak during meetings with the Employer, although they can pass notes to the BT. Still, being there to assert your presence—and your humanity—provides crucial support to your BT at the table. We hope to see you next week!
The BT also encourages everyone to join the first Bargaining Mobilization Committee meeting on July 14, 12:30 – 2PM. The meeting’s goal is to collectively brainstorm a plan with specific steps that stewards and rank-and-file members can take to support bargaining and win strong contracts!
Our next BT meeting on July 2, 10AM – 12PM, will deal with the very last of our proposals and figure out where we can get the info to improve their language. Any and all meetings are open to the CUPE 3903 membership. We love having other members there, so don’t think about it, just join us!
In solidarity,
CUPE 3903 Bargaining Team (Units 1, 2, & 3)
bargaining@cupe3903.org
Upcoming Meetings
- Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team Meeting: Thursday, July 2, 10AM – 12PM
- Bargaining with the Employer: Monday, July 6, 10AM – 12PM
- Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team Meeting: Wednesday, July 8, 10AM – 12PM
- Bargaining Team/Executive Committee Meeting: Monday, July 13, 10AM – 12PM
- Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team Meeting: Wednesday, July 15, 10AM – 12PM
- Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team Meeting: Wednesday, July 22, 10AM – 12PM
- Units 1, 2, & 3 Bargaining Team Meeting: Wednesday, July 29, 10AM – 12PM