🔥 Bargaining Update – July 24 & August 26, 2025 🔥

Hey friends! 👋 We hope your summer has been amazing! Here’s the latest scoop from the bargaining table:

💰 First Monetary Proposal

• We presented our first monetary proposal, covering all the things we ratified back in March.
• LEF acted “surprised” 😲 that we want:
  • Compensation for tools & resources
  • Fair vacation structure
  • One healthcare plan for all
  • Pay for Employer-led meetings
  • Equitable wage increases

🤦‍♀️ Employer Response

• Suggested costs like food handler certificates, vaccines, criminal checks, and damaged belongings are just “industry standard” and we should cover them.
• Not shocking, but still… we’re ready to push back!

💪 Solidarity Matters

• Bargaining is fluid. We need to stay alert and stick together.
• Look at our sisters at Air Canada—they refused to accept unpaid work and made change happen.

📢 Special General Membership Meeting

• When: September 9, 7:30 p.m.
• Agenda:
  1. Nomination & election of Recording Secretary
  2. Update on the bargaining process
• Zoom link & election materials coming soon—keep an eye on your inbox!

Let’s keep the momentum going—together we’re stronger! 💥

In solidarity,

CUPE 5575 Bargaining & Executive Committee(s)

“Slow and steady – but we’ve still got miles to go!”

Dear Members,

We’re back with another round of bargaining updates – and while we’ve made some meaningful strides, we’re still navigating a few rough patches on the road to a fair and complete collective agreement.

✅ Progress Made – A Step in the Right Direction

Let’s start with the good news: we were able to find common ground on several non-monetary issues this week. It’s always encouraging when the dialogue leads to agreements – even if we’re not quite out of the woods yet.

⚠️ Sticking Points – Major Items Still on the Table

Despite the progress, we’ve hit some major impasses on key items that matter to you – and the work continues. We’re holding firm on our principles and are committed to fighting the good fight on your behalf.

💰 Eyes on the Prize – Monetary Talks Ahead

Next up? We’re preparing to table our monetary proposals. These discussions are always the meat and potatoes of any bargaining process, and we know how important these issues are to you. Rest assured, we’ll be bringing our A-game.

👋 A New Face at the Table

This session also saw a new addition on the employer’s side: Janice Perry from their Labour Relations department. While it’s always good to have fresh perspectives at the table, one comment did catch our attention.

As we expressed our commitment to wrapping up the collective agreement by the end of this year, Janice responded with a single comment:

“That’s ambitious.” 👀

Well – we’ll take that as a challenge!

💪 Our Response? Challenge Accepted.

We know achieving this goal won’t be a walk in the park. But we also know that with determination, preparation, and unity – we can move mountains. After all, if we don’t aim high, we risk selling ourselves short.

So, while some may raise eyebrows at our timeline, we’re keeping our eyes on the prize and our boots on the ground. We’re in it for the long haul – and we’re doing it for you.

🗓️ What’s Next?

The next meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2025 and we’ll keep you posted every step of the way. Stay tuned for updates as we move into the crucial monetary phase.

As always, thank you for your continued support, solidarity, and trust. Together, we’re stronger.

In Solidarity,

Your Executive Committee

Your Bargaining Committee

Your Comms Committee

✊ We’re Getting Warmer on Non-Monetary Proposals! ✊

Dear Members,

We’re excited to share some hot-off-the-press news from our bargaining session of June 12, 2025.

✅ Some Progress Made:

We saw some movement by the employer towards some of our non-monetary proposals, which we view as progress to get us closer to the start of monetary proposals.   It’s small, but meaningful step that we can congratulate ourselves on – our unity, support of our bargaining committee and collective solidarity is having an impact on keeping us on track to reach our goal of a first collective agreement.

🚧 Still a Few Roadblocks:

That said, we are Not out of the woods just yet.  A few non-monetary issues remain sticking points — but your bargaining team will continue to push forward to obtain the priorities we are aiming to achieve.  We will stand strong and shape the best agreement possible for all of us!

📍 Next Steps:

Mark your calendars! Our next bargaining session will be held at our CUPE Ontario Regional Office on June 24, 2025 — our union’s home turf.  We will bring pen to paper for sign-offs on the proposals we have reached agreement on so far. That’s right we will start constructing our first Memorandum of Agreement, which we will bring to you for ratification in the future, once we have completed the entire bargaining process.

🗣️ Stay Tuned & Stay Strong:

We’re keeping our eyes on the prize and will continue to keep you in the loop. As always, your support fuels our fight. We’re in this together — shoulder to shoulder.

In solidarity,
Your Executive Committee
Your Bargaining Committee
Your Comms Committee

May 16, 2025

RE: Bargaining Update, Standing Strong, Speaking Loud

Dear Friends,

Your petition demanding the reversal of the unjust $2.32 wage cut for our registered staff colleagues, and calling for a real commitment to improving working conditions received overwhelming support from all of us collectively. That petition was not just a piece of paper; it was a roaring voice that demands to be heard.

Your Bargaining Committee and Local President met with the Employer yesterday (May 15) to deliver your message loud and clear: We won’t sit back and let fairness slip through our fingers!

The delivery of the petition caught the Employer completely off guard; they were visibly shocked by your response to the call for action. They either thought you did not have it within you or thought that you would stand idle and not speak up. However, yesterday, we drew a line in the sand and showed them that we deserve and demand better. We also reminded them that were never unequivocal in our intent to deal with the wage cut separate to bargain and expect them to deliver on the promise.

We did not stop there. The petition you signed was also a demand to improve working conditions. We drove home the point that unsafe and unfair working conditions such as unmanageable workload, harassment and discrimination, workplace violence, and involuntary transfers must be addressed and reflected in our collective agreement. These are not just thorns in our side; they’re serious barriers to a healthy and respectful workplace – they are about keeping us safe, so we can adequately keep the children safe.

We also addressed Mr. Frampton’s recent letter to parents (dated May 12, 2025), and we set the record straight with them, that aside from the wage cut not being intended to be a matter for collective bargaining, that it was a promise made, and we expect it to be kept with no strings attached, that their PWEG pay they are delivering on the program’s behalf, does not form part of negotiation process, nor is it a “benefit” or “act of kindness” that LEF should take credit for nor it represent a wage improvement coming from LEF.

The ball is now in the Employer’s court. We await their response on the petition (outside of the bargaining process) and we are also aware a pass back from them on June 11, 2025 on the non-monetary proposals that we have been clear are required in our collective agreement. We will do that until the cows come!

Friends, together, we are a force to be reckoned with. When we stand united, no one can, nor will they, sweep our concerns under the rug.

Thanks, again, for your unwavering support. Let’s keep up the fight together!

In solidarity,

Your Communication Committee

Your Executive committee

Your Bargaining Committee

Dear Friends,

A Heartfelt Thank You

First, we would like to apologise if there has been a perceived delay in updating you on this important bargaining process. We thank you for your patience. Negotiations have some element of confidentiality, as well as we had to first hold a few meetings with the Employer, before we could provide you with any meaningful updates.

Secondly, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to every member who proudly wore pink onApril 2, 2025, as part of our first Call to Action. Your unity spoke volumes — noticed not just by yourBargaining Committee and CUPE National, but also by the Employer.

You turned heads and strengthened hearts!

We proved that together, we are a force to be reckoned with!

Progress and Challenges

Making History

On April 2, 2025, your Bargaining Committee took a historic step by presenting its first non-monetary proposal package in the unit’s history.

At the meeting were senior leadership from LEF, including CEO Peter Frampton and, of course, your elected bargaining committee and your Local President on behalf of our Local Executive.

The tone on day one was cordial and respectful, as we set out the membership’s priorities clearly and confidently.

April 15 Meeting: Some Agreements

At our second session, the Employer presented its own non-monetary proposals.We were able to find common ground on several non-contentious issues, offering hope that collaboration would be possible.

April 23 Meeting: Reality Check

When the Union delivered its second non-monetary proposal pass, the atmosphere at the table took a turn.When we re-affirmed the critical priorities you mandated, including but not limited to, protections against harassment and discrimination, job posting and dispute resolution process, better management of workload and protection against involuntary transfers — the Employer’s tone soured.

This shift was a stark reminder that we are not dealing with a progressive Employer, and as the saying, goes,“old habits die hard”, but this moment reaffirmed why we stood together to unionize. Now more than ever, unity must be our compass and our shield!

The Road Ahead

We have two more bargaining dates upcoming: May 15, 2025, June 11, 2025 and many more to follow until we reach our coveted first collective agreement.

Friends, negotiations is not a quick process, it is lengthy and constantly changing. Therefore, we need you to stay engaged, focused, and most importantly positive and united.

When the call comes, let’s be ready to answer as one.

Second Call to Action and Website Launch

Our Mobilization Committee has been reaching out regarding a Second Call to Action.Your voice matters — and your participation will be key to moving forward.

We are also thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our new website, where you will find bargaining updates, mobilization news, resources, and more.

Knowledge is power — and power belongs to us as workers.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact John Wilson at jwilson@cupe.ca or a member of your Executive and Mobilization Committee.

In Solidarity,

Executive Committee

Bargaining Committee

Mobilization Committee

“When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.”Stay connected. Stay strong. Victory is within our grasp.

We’re excited to launch this site to help keep you in the loop about everything that’s happening in our new local.

Let us know what you think, or if there’s anything that you’d like to see on the site.