Friday, March 31, 2017
With all of our bargaining units renewing contracts before the end of 2018, it’s safe to say that 2017 and 2018 efforts will be concentrated on negotiating solid collective agreements. Preparations for bargaining and achieving the best possible contracts for all of our members is AMAPCEO’s highest priority.
AMAPCEO is better prepared for bargaining than ever before. For example, after having learned lessons from tough 2012 and 2014 OPS bargaining campaigns, we’ve started preparations a full two years early (Spring 2016) with a Bargaining Readiness Working Group diligently conducting our efforts.
Thank you to the thousands of members who have taken the time to participate in our pre-bargaining survey. Later this Spring, a call for nominations will go out to elect a pool of negotiating team members – one from each District. Subsequently, a selection committee, comprised from the Board of Directors, will interview and select a Negotiating Team of 6 from this group. Likewise, we will be putting out an equally important call for volunteers for our Member Engagement Team. This team is responsible for organizing and engaging our membership and for building our collective strength and solidarity in the workplace. Both of these teams will receive intensive training in the Fall of this year before setting to work on the bargaining priorities of the membership and carrying out AMAPCEO’s first ever lobby day at Queen’s Park in October. With the membership having had its say, with the negotiations team and our professional staff having completed its preparatory work, the Board of Directors will then consider and approve priorities to be taken to the ADC for ultimate Delegate adoption in early December.
The process and timelines for each unit will be different – but expect to hear regular up
dates in weekly e-blasts, in the member newsletter, on bulletin boards, and around the workplace. Please stay tuned!
While stressful bargaining may soon be upon all of us – the overall health of the organization – with an increase of more than 1,000 members in the past 24 months, a strong five-year strategic plan in place, and a reformed governance model that better supports member engagement – is at its strongest point yet.
Through the leadership of Vice-President Cynthia Watt and the hard work of our Education Committee and Staff, the Board at its recent Strategic Planning session adopted an ambitious 5 year framework for education. Education has been a long sought after desire of mine, and so I congratulate everyone involved in landing this accomplishment – one that will pay dividends for generations to come.
Over the past 18 months, you’ve heard me speak often about our new governance model. Please permit me to do so, one more time. With the completion of our initial Delegate elections in February, and our inaugural District Executive meetings scheduled to be completed by mid-April, I am proud to say that AMAPCEO’s long journey toward a fairer and more democratic governance system has reached its destination. While there will be adjustments to make as we move forward, we’ve truly positioned ourselves to thrive.
Until next time, let’s remember, we are all stronger together.