Bargaining Parameters

The following bargaining parameters were approved at the Special General Membership Meeting on July 11, 2014:

Bargaining Parameters

Throughout bargaining, CUPE 3903 continues its existing practice of social unionism. In recognition of this, the following bargaining parameters have been set by the general membership:

  1. CUPE 3903, as part of its commitment to democratic union structures, affirms its ongoing commitment to bargaining processes that are transparent, accountable, and open.
  2. CUPE 3903 reserves the right to have members in the bargaining room to observe the bargaining process.
  3. Decisions that affect the relationship between membership and the Bargaining Team and the Bargaining Team and employer are determined by the membership.
  4. All bargaining units will bargain together to strive for the best agreement for all units and will not privilege one unit at the expense of another unit. In keeping with past practice, no one-on-one or small group/unit-specific bargaining will take place with the employer.
  5. No member of our Executive Committee or Bargaining Team will meet with the administration without approval of the membership.
  6. Members of our Bargaining Team will not engage in informal bargaining with the employer without the approval of the general membership.
  7. The Bargaining Team will not engage in confidential bargaining (which includes, but is not limited to, confidential “without prejudice” bargaining), except with approval of the membership. “Confidential” means that no information is communicated from the Bargaining Team to the membership.
  8. There will be no media and communications blackouts during any phase of bargaining except with approval of the membership. “Media blackout” means that no information can be disseminated to the media. “Communications Blackout” means that no information can be distributed beyond the Bargaining Team.
  9. Our Bargaining Team will not make agreements with the employer that will oblige Bargaining Team members to take a particular view of, or position on, any matters related to bargaining.
  10. Our Bargaining Team will suspend negotiations with the employer 24 hours before any previously scheduled General Membership Meeting to ensure that members have time to prepare a bargaining report for that meeting.
  11. The decision to bring forward a tentative agreement for ratification shall be made by a majority vote of the combined Bargaining Team and the Executive Committee.
  12. In line with CUPE National and CUPE Ontario policy, CUPE 3903 will not engage in bargaining that would result in a concession.
  13. In the event of a strike, bargaining shall take place, whenever possible, at the Ministry of Labour or other offices which provide space at no cost. This arrangement shall be made with the employer in writing, and copies shall be sent to the Executive Committee as a whole and kept in the Treasurer’s files.
  14. Bargaining between CUPE 3903 and the employer will take place during regular business hours (9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Regularly scheduled breaks as afforded in most work places will also be understood to apply, meaning that, on a full day of negotiations, there will be a minimum of two 15-minute breaks (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), as well as a one hour break for lunch.
  15. Bargaining meetings between CUPE 3903 and the employer will take place in rooms large enough to accommodate all Union members that wish to attend those meetings. These rooms will be fully accessible, and properly equipped with power outlets for members wishing to take notes on their computers.