CUPE and SAHO were scheduled to be in bargaining November 14, 15 & 16, 2023. CUPE presented the Employer committee with a letter on the morning of November 15, which implied SAHO’s proposed approach may not be in good faith; SAHO strongly disagrees with this assertion.

The letter states “It is the union’s position that only those items that parties agree to have bargained at a multi-union table may be bargained at a multi-union table.” The determination of individual vs. common issues was raised by SAHO in advance of bargaining and was not resolved prior to commencing negotiations. SAHO recognizes this is an important issue and remains open to finding a resolution.

SAHO remains committed to a fair and productive bargaining process with the intent to ensure all employees in over 300 common classifications covered by three (3) collective agreements have equitable opportunities and maintain the internal equity that is a hallmark of previous agreements. Our proposal package maintains the integrity of the three provider unions while we seek common solutions to common issues. We have a long recognized practice at these tables of negotiating monetary and non-monetary issues at a single common table.

The parties are at early stages of negotiations and continue to seek clarification on each other’s proposals.  As a result of the content of the letter, the employer committee paused negotiations for the remainder of this session to consider our response to the letter in light of the positions CUPE is taking.

The next bargaining dates with CUPE are December 10, 11, 12, 2023.

Union/CUPE November 17, 2023