Bargaining Updates:
CUPE 503 Members in the City of Ottawa Inside/Outside Collective Agreement:
The arbitration date was held October 6th 2026 to deal with General Wage increases for a 3-year Collective Agreement that expired December 31st 2024. This is the only outstanding item that the Arbitrator will provide a decision on. Generally within 3 months we receive the Arbitration Award and we will send out a communication to Inside/Outside members swiftly once the award is received.
Ottawa Public Library:
We have received the printed bilingual copies of the current Ottawa Public Library Collective Agreement. They are available for pick-up at the CUPE 503 Office Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Sandfield Place & Ted Laurier Place:
A detailed communication was sent to Sandfield Place & Ted Laurier Place members on October 20th 2026 after the Ontario Labour Relations Board (ORLB) hearing that was held on October 19th 2026. The October 26th Interest Arbitration date that was scheduled has been paused awaiting the decision from the ORLB.
Forest Hill Long Term Care:
The Union has served Notice to Bargain for the Collective Agreement that expired May 1st 2026 from the last Interest Arbitration Award that was received in the summer. We have also filed for conciliation with the Ministry of Labour to start the process for the next round of bargaining. Early November members will receive the Members Survey for this round of bargaining and provide the timeline for bargaining with the Employer.
Embassy West Retirement Residence:
Notice to Bargain has been served to the Employer to commence the bargaining process for the 4-year Collective Agreement that expired August 8th 2026. Bargaining dates have been confirmed with the Employer for December 4th and 10th 2026. Members are reminded to complete their Members Survey before Tuesday, October 27th 2026.
Ottawa Humane Society:
Bargaining dates were held with the Employer June 18th, 24th, 25th, July 6th,13th, August 5th and September 2nd. Progress at the bargaining table has been minimal with the Employer proposing concessions to the current Collective Agreement. A Conciliation Officer has been appointed by the Ministry of Labour to help the parties reach a Collective Agreement and that date is scheduled for October 27th 2026.
Other Important Updates:
In May 2026 we completed the General Election process as per the CUPE 503 Bylaws for the 3-year term of the Executive Board and Executive Council. This process resulted in a number of vacancies on the Executive Council: (1) City of Ottawa 35-hour Salary Representative; (1) City of Ottawa 40/42-hour Salary Representative; (1) City of Ottawa Part-time Recreation & Culture Representative; (1) City of Ottawa Other than Full-time Representative; and (1) Ottawa Humane Society Representative. The CUPE 503 Bylaws do not allow for appointments to fill these vacancies; instead we must run another election process to fill these vacancies for the term ending May 31st 2029. This process will take place early in the new year. There are advance steps required including forming an Election Committee, appointing a Returning Officer and CUPE National Advisor for the by-election. This process has commenced at our October 2026 General Membership Meeting.
Save the Date:
Our Next Hybrid General Membership Meeting is Tuesday, November 17th at 7pm.