BT Daily News, March 15, 2024
Today’s Events and Meetings
The bargaining team (BT) members had a meeting with the ministry-appointed mediators, Erinn White, and Sandra Shime. Our legal counsel was present at the meeting as well. The discussion revolved around the necessary steps to get to the bargaining table and freely negotiate the contract our members need.
BT members participated in the picket lines today, engaged in discussions with the 8th line CUPE members to coordinate strike research and communication projects, and continued preparing documents relating to restructuring.
Negotiation Process – Breakthroughs or Challenges
In their meeting with the government-appointed mediators, the BT members spoke about our position on wages in relation to the economic hardship facing members. We also reaffirmed our right to freely negotiate a contract at the bargaining table. The mediators continue to express skepticism about reaching a deal based on current Union proposals. The Union will be working through the weekend on new steps to restart bargaining.
The BT wrote to the Employer to express disappointment that the Employer reneged on their willingness to meet at the table. The BT emphasized their willingness and availability to return to the table as early as this weekend.
At the end of the day the Employer responded, claiming that they are prepared to return to the negotiating table. However, they indicated that they are awaiting CUPE 3903’s salary counterproposals to their previous offers from February 7 and 21. This continues to be a stalemate of the Employer’s making, with the Union having moved in two out of three monetary areas (benefits and funds). It is the Union’s March 9 streamlined packages that are the most current ones on the table, and to which the Employer must respond.
Upcoming events
- BT Meeting – March 18 from 1-5PM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82546415013?pwd=OG5BQ1BJK0x2Y1BVemd3Vm53bzArdz09
- Executive +BT meeting – March 19 from 11am-2pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87692892839?pwd=eVhPOVA5ZTNPNEduWWJiS2g5dVF1dz09
- Negotiations with the Employer (To Be Determined)