September 1, 2023
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
As discussed in our last update of the 8th of June, 2023, we met with the Employer on the 6th and 7th of June to bargain with the assistance of a conciliator but we were not successful in making any progress at all.
We had requested that the Employer provide us with their final position on all items – basically a draft collective agreement – so that we could bring it out to you to see if you were willing to vote in favor of it even if it was just to bring the process to a close. They refused. They insisted on tabling proposals that they said weren’t binding unless we agreed to them. Some of them were actually worse than what they tabled before. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t bring their proposals out for a vote because they said they weren’t binding until we agreed to them so your vote would mean nothing. We said we couldn’t agree to their proposals and even if we did our agreement is only a recommendation to you. Only your vote can decide if it’s a deal.
As outlined in June we gave up and told the conciliator and the other side we would wait until we could apply to the Labour Relations Board for assistance – basically for them to impose a
resolution. The time has run out and we have not heard anything different from the Employer so we have submitted our application to the Board to have the matter resolved in a hearing. Our application was submitted on Wednesday August 30 and now the Employer has 10 days to submit their response then we await the Board’s instructions.
There is nothing else to report at the moment. We are disappointed but not surprised which is how we have felt almost throughout these negotiations. Although we would have preferred to bring you a negotiated agreement we are convinced that proceeding to a hearing will be the way we can best represent you. That’s in no small part because we can’t let this go on any longer and still say we have represented you.
We are holding unit meetings via zoom at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday the 7th to provide bargaining information and answer questions. Please join us if you can. The meeting link will be in the email that this came with.
Please watch for further updates and notification of any meetings. Please also forward any questions or concerns you have to the bargaining committee either directly or through the Member Resource Centre by phone at 1-888-7348 ext 2298, by email at [email protected], or by using the contact form. We will provide further updates as information becomes available and when we make our next application to the Board.
Thank you for your patience and support.
In Solidarity,
Your SEIU-West Spruce Manor Special Care Home Bargaining Committee
Brenda Morrison (Unit Chair) • Mildred Braun (Unit Communicator) • Brenda Soiseth (Unit Vice-Chair) Staff Cam McConnell (Northern Negotiations Officer) • Tracy Goodheart (Union Representative)
Please click here for a printable copy of this Bargaining Bulletin.
This Bargaining Bulletin was provided to members via email on September 1, 2023 and posted to SEIU-West on November 29, 2023.