Continuing the work from the members’ resolution on Strengthening and Expanding the CAPE Defence Fund from the 2022 AGM, a member survey on CAPE’s Defence Fund and on collective bargaining was conducted between August 11 and September 11, 2023. We are pleased to share the results with members. We would like to thank members for their participation in the survey. Overall, we received over 1000 responses.
Some highlights:
- Nearly three-quarters (72%) consider themselves familiar with collective bargaining, and 6 in 10 say they have participated in a ratification vote.
- Familiarity with the terms ‘binding arbitration’ (82%) and ‘conciliation and strike’ (73%) among members is as high (or higher) as with collective bargaining overall (72%).
- 6 in 10 would like to see the Defence Fund either maintain its current balance (20%) or grow in the future (43%).
The aims of this survey were twofold: The first was to better understand members’ views and goals for CAPE’s Defence Fund, and any changes that they are hoping to see made to the fund or its terms of reference. The second was to get a better understanding of members’ perspectives on collective bargaining including possible future strategies, potential challenges and members’ educational needs around bargaining.
Results are only reported on an aggregate basis and are not attributable to any individual. Not all details are being shared publicly, as some of the results are key to future bargaining strategies with the employer.
As part of this resolution, CAPE will be launching a collective bargaining toolkit that will be used to increase members’ awareness of the bargaining process and how their union works for them through collective bargaining. It will be communicated to members and shared on our website in the new year.
The next National Executive Committee mandate begins in January, and they will be briefed and surely take interest in these results as CAPE moves forward.
