Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Earlier this week, AMAPCEO wrapped up its spring 2021 slate of General Membership Meetings (GMMs). These meetings, held virtually, were tremendously successful, offering AMAPCEO members an opportunity get answers to their questions and to learn more about important union issues and initiatives. The meetings featured an introduction by the District Director, interactive polling, updates by AMAPCEO President Dave Bulmer or Vice-President Cynthia Watt, and a question-and-answer period.
The first thing emphasized during the update portion of the meetings was how incredibly well AMAPCEO members have performed while working from home, especially during such challenging circumstances. Members were praised for bringing “calm to the chaos,” as Bulmer previously described it.
Members currently working remotely were assured that, while the increasing rates of vaccinations offered a light at the end of the tunnel, the return to the physical workplace was still on hold indefinitely. AMAPCEO leadership reported that they do not anticipate a return to the workplace will occur before second vaccine doses are widely available, and that any return to work would come with a minimum of two weeks’ notice.
On that note, members were encouraged to get their vaccines as they become available, as vaccines have been scientifically proven to be the most effective way to reduce spread of the COVID-19 virus and the severity of the virus’s impact. AMAPCEO leadership acknowledged that public health measures will likely continue to in effect in the physical workplace even as employees returned. The union will review all health and safety protocols and advocate for strong protections, as it has since the pandemic began.
AMAPCEO leadership also provided updates on union events that had been held virtually throughout the pandemic, including the AMAPCEO Board meetings, the Employee Relations Committee Forum, and the Activists & Leaders Forum. Members were also apprised that, after a hiatus last year, the Workplace Representatives Conference and Health, Safety & Wellness Conference would be returning and held online in mid-June.
Finally, Bulmer and Watt provided an update on plans for the upcoming Ontario Public Service collective bargaining. Negotiations with the Employer will begin in early 2022. Members were informed that the demand-setting survey would be released in September, and that bargaining committee appointments would be happening the same month.
AMAPCEO leadership reminded members that bargaining would be occurring under the constraints of the government’s Bill 124, which effectively caps ‘total’ compensation increases at 1% from 2022 to 2025. While AMAPCEO is taking legal action against this bill, along with more than 40 other unions, the case is not expected to reach the Supreme Court of Canada until late 2022 or early 2023, and will still be in effect during the coming negotiations.
AMAPCEO wants to thank all members who participated in these GMMs, as well as the Directors and activists who helped make these meetings a reality. The union is looking forward to holding these events in person again as soon as safely possible.