COLLECTIVE BargainingNEGOTIATIONS
UNIT
Senior Negotiator (1): Pay Equity Lead Hand
Negotiators (8) including one Bilingual Negotiator
Pay Equity Negotiator (2)
Negotiations Unit – Who are WE?
WHAT ELSE DO WE DO?
Coordinate Pay Equity with Regional Staff and Locals
Undertake Coordinated Bargaining in viable Sectors
Sector-building is a key function for all Negotiators and assisting Locals to become stronger and more inclusive.
NEGOTIATORS work closely with their assigned elected
Sector/Division Executives, Committees and OPSEU STAFF, as
applicable:
meetings as required.
Act as a Resource to Staff Representatives, Regional Offices
and other Head Office Units.
Negotiate – Collective bargaining
The membership will ensure vehicle is running at ALL times and that it is well maintained.
COLLABORATION is very important and will assist in the
performance of your Local.
Council and community events.
The LOCAL will run the vehicle and ensure there is an adequate driver.
Elect your leadership; LOCAL Executive, Stewards and
Bargaining Team.
and inexperience members.
We administers over 500
Central / Province-wide
Canadian Blood Services
3. I don't know
What stage of the collective bargaining process is your Local currently in?
FYI: Bargaining Cycle never ends! Enforcement is just as important as Mobilizing while in bargaining. Member engagement should be 24/7/365.
Collective Bargaining. The BIG picture
Bargaining is your best opportunity to unifying and involving
your members.
Every member is affected by what is in – or not in – in your
collective agreement.
Every member is potentially affected by a strike or lockout,
or by an arbitrated settlement.
What ever the route, increase member involvement.
Better local participation means less chance of a strike or
lockout.
2. Engage and participate in mobilizing
initiatives.
How do you attain “the best” collective agreement?
TIP: Read your collective agreement. Keep notes for future reference; they will come handy when attending demand set meeting.
All members are on board and nobody stays behind.
All members play a key role in the
Bargaining Cycle.
Strong Inclusive LOCAL
Local should gather data from
enforcement period to ensure demand-set
period produces a good solid strategy for
negotiations.
the coming round of bargaining and
discuss during demand set meeting.
Involve member well before your contract
runs out.
weaknesses.
MEMBER
Ensure LEC is aware of department/work site issues. Even if they have not been grieved.
Attend the demand set meeting and
voice concern and opinion.
Ask questions; encourage your Local
to have mini- department meetings. Make sure you read your collective
agreement and highlight those issues that may need improvements or add as NEW.
Evaluate….Demand set….ready…go!!! LOCAL EXECUTIVE
Set up a surveys before your demand set meeting.
There is constant opportunity to involve member. This has a big impact on the gains in the new contract.
MEMBER
Ensure you fill out the survey. If your issue/concern is not listed in the survey make sure you added It in.
Collaborate with other
peers; talk to each other so similar issues/concerns are listed in the survey. THE MORE THE BETTER!.
TIP: Demands must reflect the desires of ALL members. All members have the right to be part of decisions that affect their lives and the groups they belong to, SO GET INVOLVED.
Demands need to be adopted by a majority vote of the membership meeting.
The demands that are carried should be ranked by the members in order of importance from most to least important (for example, 1st – most important; 2nd – next most important, etc.).
Stay away from the shopping list – Focus on the “real” important issues. Be strategic and be prepare to back up your rational as to why an issue is important.
HOW ARE PRIORITIES DETERMINED?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! OPSEU STAFF WILL ASSSIT AND WILL ATTEND TO ALL
DEMAND SET MEETINGS.
During demand set identify the issue but also provide a solution or data if possible.
Determine how many people are affected by an issue.
Ask yourselves what are some of the key political and economic factors affecting the bargaining environment that also affect my local.
Focus on the top three priorities for your Local but also from the employer’s agenda that may affect you this time around.
1. Yes 2. No 3. Tried but was not successful
Have you ever consider or have participated in collective bargaining?
TIP: Don’t give up if you are not successful first time around. Build support and give it another shot.
All bargaining team members work under the guidance of the negotiator, and with each other. At different times, bargaining team members may have specific duties (e.g., research, newsletter etc.).
Duties and Responsibilities With Yourself
Do your homework (on member demands, knowing current collective agreement, on factors affecting the bargaining).
Keep yourself healthy and balanced during times of high stress and inactivity in bargaining.
Maintain confidentiality.
Job Description -Bargaining Team member
FYI: People could gain as much as 5-10 pounds during a round of negotiations.
With the Bargaining Team
Keep current on trends affecting bargaining.
Actively listen to views different from your own; participate in constructive debate to build consensus.
Help address conflicts that arise.
Help prepare proposals, evaluate offers, discuss concerns, identify realistic priorities
Keep caucus discussions confidential.
Communications can help.
the local Mobilization Committee; delegate roles to others
wherever possible.
Promote team decisions to the members, even when you
don’t agree with them or when the decisions may be
unpopular with members.
The bargaining process reinforces the Stewards relationship with the members. They Act as a “conduit” between Team and membership.
They make communication easier and more accessible between the bargaining team, union and membership.
Mobilize and Motivate.
Stewards role during the bargaining process
TIP: An good active Local will implement a leadership
development program where Stewards become mentors and
empower new activist.
OPSEU will “help” the Local push for a successful round of negotiations. Local directs and Union provides advice and resources. Remember….Is all about:
Collaboration
Engagement
Participation
Labour Media Canadian Centre for
Policy Alternatives Workers’ H&S Centre
To strengthen:
contact
Employer
Boards
There is always room to improve H&S language.
Try to improve layoff language, longer notice periods, etc.
Improve the Unions ability to do their business. Time off, education, etc.
UNION
1. Most definitely 2. Not a chance 3. I still don't get it!
Knowing what you know now; how many of you would consider participating in collective bargaining?
TIP: Be pro-active an ensure your Local has good by-laws that speak to process, etc. about collective bargaining.
1. Most definitely 2. May consider it
How many of you would participate in collective bargaining
"just for the experience"?