Sunday, October 30, 2022
Last week, your Ontario Public Service (OPS) Bargaining Team recommended a tentative contract to AMAPCEO’s Board of Directors. We, your elected Board of Directors, reviewed the potential deal in detail and we unanimously endorse and recommend it to you as a tentative agreement for your ratification.
Tentative Contract Details
Highlights of the tentative agreement, answers to your frequently asked questions, and a recording of one of our Telephone Town Halls are all available on the AMAPCEO website.
Voting Details
The ratification vote period will begin tomorrow, Monday, October 31, and will close on Friday, November 4 at noon ET. Information about how to vote can also be found on the website.
Potential Outcomes
If you approve the tentative contract, subject to Treasury Board ratification, it will come into effect immediately with implementation occurring as noted in the contract.
If you reject the tentative contract, the parties will effectively be at an impasse. The Employer has stated it has no intention of returning to the bargaining table. Arbitration is not an option and mediation has been attempted twice. This means it is likely that the parties would take legal steps toward job action.
Recommendation
Your AMAPCEO Board of Directors is unequivocally recommending that members approve this tentative agreement.
This deal affords members:
- the maximum possible compensation possible under legislation and a clause that preserves our rights to obtain future financial damages resulting from Bill 124;
- the highest value Health Care Spending Account of all OPS bargaining units;
- a big leap forward in mental health coverage, including coverage for psychotherapy,
- the only joint sub-committee in the OPS tasked to discuss and resolve employee accommodation issues;
- the strongest flexible work language in the OPS—and the union’s commitment to leading a flexible work campaign aimed at achieving hybrid work for interested members;
- the strongest contract worker provisions of all OPS bargaining units;
- the strongest job security provisions in the OPS;
- a joint Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sub-committee;
- a Letter of Understanding from the OPS Employer:
- acknowledging that the Return to Office memo of April 4, 2022, in no way usurps any existing alternative work arrangements in place prior to the pandemic or going forward;
- confirming that the current Return to Office model will remain in place until further notice;
- committing the Employer to consulting with the union on any future changes to remote work related to the Return to Office; and
- committing the Employer to consulting with the union in the event the Employer develops a policy regarding remote work.
We believe this to be the best deal possible given the legal restrictions of Bill 124 and the current political environment.
We believe the gains and protections noted above to be of substantial value to our members.
We believe this deal to be in your best interests – and as members ourselves, we would not recommend it otherwise.
We sincerely hope you will join us in voting YES.
Stronger together,
AMAPCEO Board of Directors &
Your OPS Bargaining Team