Central Bargaining Update: Bulletin #3

Your Central Bargaining Team returned to the table with the Crown and CEA on July 29 for the third day of bargaining.

The focus of the day was to continue discussions on the scope for bargaining. Before we can move on to the next phase of bargaining, the parties must agree to the scope.

Despite our best efforts, we were unable to come to an agreement and reached an impasse on the division of local and central scope items at 6:30pm last night.

During previous rounds of central negotiations, the parties reached agreement on issues best negotiated at the local level and those to be negotiated centrally.

However, in this round of bargaining, it is evident that the government’s intention is to further expand provincial power over school boards by attempting to exercise control over both local and central provisions.

This morning your Central Bargaining Team met with OPSEU/SEFPO staff and legal counsel to discuss our next steps. We continue to work closely with our fellow education unions, who have also reached an impasse over this matter.

It has been decided that OPSEU/SEFPO will refer this matter to the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB). The OLRB will determine what issues will fall within the central and local scope. This process will take time and could take several months to reach a conclusion.

But the work doesn’t stop here! While we wait for the OLRB to issue a decision, we will continue organizing with our members in our workplaces and communities. We need to do this work to ensure we are united and ready to fight to protect publicly funded education in Ontario.

We will continue to provide updates throughout this process in an efficient and timely manner.

Stronger Together,

Your Sector 3 Education Central Bargaining Team

Kelly Martin (L330) – Chair

Bonnie Eddy (L330) – Alt. Chair

Rebecca Bailey (L614)

Melody Hurtubise (L2100)

Susan Richarz (L514)

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OPSEU Boards of Education and Cultural Institutions – Sector 3