Collective bargaining is the process by which your union negotiates with the employer to improve your wages and working conditions and make advances for all members of the bargaining unit. The process is driven by and for members like you. There are several ways that you can become involved in collective bargaining.
Volunteer for your collective bargaining committee
Before each round of negotiations begins, your union will put out a call for volunteers to participate in a collective bargaining committee. A new committee will be formed for each bargaining unit for each round of negotiations. This committee is made up of members that represent the diversity of the bargaining unit, the president who is the lead negotiator unless they delegate this power to another person, and expert CAPE staff who will provide knowledge and support.
Sitting on the collective bargaining committee means that you will have an important role in supporting negotiations. Training is provided to ensure that participants understand the process and their role. If selected, you will need to attend meetings of the collective bargaining committee and be ready to contribute your expertise. Click here to find out more.
Share your priorities
Ahead of each round of collective bargaining, members are surveyed about their priorities for the upcoming round of bargaining. You will be invited to share your priorities, which will help to form the collective bargaining committee’s mandate.
You can also share your priorities with your local leadership or during consultation and information sessions and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
Express your support during bargaining
Your collective bargaining committee works to present your priorities and negotiates to improve your working conditions. Even if you are not a member of the bargaining team or collective bargaining committee, you can help to strengthen their position by expressing your support for your bargaining team. This can be done in many ways, from supporting mobilization actions, such as letter-writing campaigns, rallies, and events, to ensuring that you keep informed about the collective bargaining process and sharing this information with your colleagues.
You may also show your solidarity in your workplace. For example, you can use a CAPE virtual background in online meetings or wear pins or other CAPE-branded items in the workplace.
Sign up for our newsletter
Be sure that you are signed up for email updates. Please use your personal email address when signing up for CAPE emails to ensure that they are not caught by your employer’s spam filter. Click here to register or update your account.
Virtual background and merch
Use our digital bargaining support resources to demonstrate your endorsement and unity with your union and your bargaining team. Consider the video background feature to showcase support of your group during virtual work meetings, use our virtual frame on social media, print a poster to demonstrate your solidity in the work environment!
CAPE merchandise may be available from your local or at select in-person events where CAPE has a presence.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities outside of the collective bargaining process, please click here.
Check our events page for upcoming opportunities to participate in your union.
