Thank you to all of the members who completed the bargaining survey earlier this year. Your level of participation and written comments are encouraging!
Your continued support and engagement is essential in helping us draft proposals and determine priorities for this round of bargaining.
Last December, your bargaining team met with PIPSC representatives from the other Ontario Radiation Therapist groups for a bargaining conference, which included training and discussion of common issues and concerns. Following this we had scheduled a 2-day meeting to take place in March to review the membership survey results and commence preparations for bargaining; however, this had to be cancelled due to COVID-19. Since that time your representatives have been very active addressing health and safety and pandemic-related issues with the hospital.
Now that COVID-related activities have slowed down, at least for the time being, we have resumed preparations for this round of bargaining. We recognize that there have been substantial delays and we appreciate your patience.
Your bargaining team recently met to discuss plans for this round of negotiations. We will be meeting in September to review the bargaining survey results, discuss current issues and concerns, and develop our bargaining proposals.
This promises to be a complex round of negotiations, as PIPSC has joined other unions in filing a legal challenge of the provincial government’s wage cap and pandemic pay regulations. You deserve to be recognized for your work throughout the COVID-19 crisis, alongside our hospital colleagues who have been granted pandemic pay.
We have had preliminary discussions with the employer concerning the timing and format of negotiations. We have agreed to exchange proposals later this fall, followed by 2 days of negotiations. With the current physical distancing requirements, these meetings may have to be held virtually. Your bargaining team is nevertheless committed to moving forward with negotiations as effectively as possible.
We are also committed to keeping you informed as we progress with regular reports and updates, and your participation and input is always valued.
Bargaining process summary
Survey members – Completed
Finalize proposals – September 2020
Exchange proposals with employer – Fall 2020 (to be confirmed)
Negotiations to achieve tentative agreement – Fall 2020 (to be confirmed)
If negotiations are unsuccessful, proceed to binding arbitration – If necessary
Member ratification vote – After tentative agreement is reached