Bargaining Updates:
CUPE 503 Members at Ottawa Community Housing:
We are pleased to announce CUPE 503 members at Ottawa Community Housing have ratified the tentative agreement reached by their Bargaining Team. The Employer has ratified as well. Work will commence on finalizing the updated collective agreement.
CUPE 503 Members in the City of Ottawa Inside/Outside Collective Agreement:
Your CUPE 503 City of Ottawa Inside/Outside Bargaining Team returned to the bargaining table with the Employer for 6 days in September and had days scheduled late in November as well. On Wednesday, September 10th we met with the provincially appointed Conciliation Officer and CUPE 503 Bargaining Team has filed for a No Board which starts the process to head to Arbitration. Your Bargaining Team has communicated to the Employer that as long as there continues to be progress at the table we will continue to bargain. The Bargaining Team is now looking for dates in January and February 2026. The Parties have commenced the process of selecting an Arbitrator for the Interest Arbitration if a deal cannot be freely negotiated by the Parties.
Sandfield Place Long Term Care:
A second bargaining date has been scheduled for December 12th 2025 between the Parties.
Forest Hill Long Term Care:
The Interest Arbitration date has been set for March 25th 2026 for a new Collective Agreement for Forest Hill members.
Embassy West Retirement Residence:
A third arbitration date was held on October 14th 2025 between the Parties, this concluded the presentations from the Union and the Employer. We are now awaiting an award to be received from the Arbitrator and this generally can take 2-3 months.
Membership Action Items:
CUPE National is collecting information about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our workplaces. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Click Here to be Directed to the Survey.
CUPE Ontario is hosting a Members Webinar on the impact of Bill 60 passing in the Ontario Legislature and the threats to our Municipal Water and Wastewater System. The website will be Tuesday, December 9th at 6:30pm on Zoom. This webinar will be about how to organize to fight back to maintain high quality, safe, public water in our communities. Click Here to Register for the Webinar.
Become a CUPE 503 Shop Steward!
Do you want to:
- Help solve problems in your workplace?
- Encourage member involvement in your union?
- Fight to ensure the rights of union members are respected at work?
- Organize with others to improve wages and working conditions for all workers?
If so, consider becoming a CUPE 503 Shop Steward!
CUPE 503 represents more than 10,000 workers across Eastern Ontario. As a CUPE 503 Shop Steward, you would attend investigation meetings with members, help educate members on their rights at work, and act as CUPE 503’s eyes and ears in the workplace. Shop Stewards are the frontline in your union’s fight for fair wages and decent working conditions for all.
No experience necessary, just a commitment to standing up for the rights of all union members in your workplace. Your union is currently organizing a comprehensive new Shop Steward training and orientation program for early 2026.
You can pick up a copy of the Shop Steward Application form at the CUPE 503 office at 1505 Carling Ave. on the members section of the CUPE 503 website at www.cupe503.com or by emailing local503@cupe503.com.
Application deadline: Friday, December 19th.
Save the Date:
Our Next Hybrid General Membership Meeting is Tuesday, January 20th 2026 at 7pm.
Your CUPE 503 Executive