Bargaining Updates
City of Ottawa Inside Outside Collective Agreement Printing:
On January 10th 2023 CUPE 503 signed off on the quote for the printing of the Collective Agreement. The Employer is taking care of printing logistics and once the new booklets arrive at the 503 Office we will provide an update to the members. In the Interim the Final Signed Collective Agreement is on the CUPE 503 website here https://cupe503.com/collective-agreements/
City of Ottawa Part-time Recreation & Culture Collective Agreement Arbitration:
We received the final Arbitration Award last Friday (March 17th 2023) on all other outstanding matters from the Arbitrator that were presented December 16th 2022. We are currently working on a communication to members with our legal team as combining both the details from the earlier interim award and the final award is necessary. We will be scheduling a hybrid meeting for members who fall within this collective agreement in the coming weeks and will be promoting the details by email. Members who are not yet on our CUPE 503 email list can email [email protected] and provide their PERSONAL email.
City of Ottawa Aquatics:
After several bargaining dates the Union has filed for Conciliation because the Bargaining Team feels bargaining has broken down with the Employer. A Ministry of Labour Conciliation Officer has been appointed and the parties are now working to find dates for another date to try to move bargaining forward. In the event the Parties cannot reach a tentative agreement then a No Board Application will be filed and if accepted b the Ministry of Labour than the outstanding items will be referred to binding Interest Arbitration for resolution.
Ottawa Public Library Collective Agreement:
The Union received a quote for the printing of the Collective Agreement from the Employer on Thursday, March 16th 2023 and it was approved the same day. The Employer is now advancing the printing to the vendor and when we receive copies we will provide an update to the members.
Forrest Hill Long Term Care:
The first date of bargaining was February 28th 2023. Negotiations have broken down and a Ministry of Labour Conciliation Officer was appointed and this round of negotiations will be proceeding to Interest arbitration for resolution.
Embassy West Retirement Residence:
Embassy West CUPE 503 Members can expect to receive an email early in April with the survey to identify bargaining priorities for this upcoming round of negotiations. The Bargaining Team will then develop proposals for this round and ratification of demands meetings will be scheduled with the members to review the Union’s proposal package before heading to the table with the Employer.
Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group:
Bargaining preparation is underway with the Bargaining Team and we are currently working on dates for the Parties to commence bargaining. In advance of the first date there will be a Ratification of Demands meeting for the members to attend likely mid-April 2023.
Other Bargaining in the coming months:
The Local will be pulling together both Bargaining Teams and Member Surveys for Sandfield Place members and the Ottawa Humane Society as these Collective Agreements will have tables convened in late Spring of 2023.
Highlights from the General Membership Meeting held 21 March 2023
CUPE 503 Executive Elections
In accordance with the CUPE 503 Bylaws, the Chief Electoral Officer appointed CUPE National Representative Allison Reilly announced the election date has been set for May 16th 2023. An Elections Committee of 3 rank and file members has been convened and will be meeting to establish the timelines, review all materials and distribution in accordance with the CUPE 503 Bylaws. Members will receive an update within the next week with more information.
Injured at Work?
If you are injured at work you may require supports from CUPE 503 to assist with a WSIB Claim. CUPE 503 has a designated staff member who supports members with this. Please find attached flyer here with contact information for Erin.
Update on General Membership Meetings
We are fast approaching the 1-year anniversary since we commenced Hybrid General Membership Meetings allowing members to join either in-person at 1505 Carling Ave or on Zoom. We were asked to provide information to the members regarding the impact to achieving Quorum (minimum number of members in attendance as per the CUPE 503 Bylaws) as a result of the hybrid model and we are pleased to report comparatively we have had much success.
Looking back between April 2018 and March 2019, of a possible 9 meetings we had 3 meetings achieving Quorum.
Between April 2019 and March 2020, of a possible 8 meetings (March 2020 was cancelled due to COVID restrictions) we had 2 meetings achieving Quorum.
Between April 2022 to March 2023, with May 2022 being the first Hybrid meeting we have had 7 meetings achieving Quorum of a possible 9.
Our commitment is to continue to offer the Hybrid General Membership Meetings and implement the recommendations from the General Membership Meeting Working Group that were reviewed in February 2023 to continue to build on a higher level of engagement and participation in General Membership Meetings.
Save the Date
Our next Hybrid General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18th 2023 at 7pm.