Bargaining Update: Bayshore's Delays Stall Progress for Local 745

Fellow OPSEU/SEFPO Local 745 members, we need to talk about the frustrating pace of our bargaining with Bayshore. Your union has been working diligently to secure fair bargaining dates and the information needed to negotiate a strong collective agreement. However, as the timeline clearly shows, Bayshore's actions (and inactions) are creating significant roadblocks, pushing potential bargaining dates unacceptably late. It appears only direct action from you, the members, prompts any significant communication from the employer, as we saw recently.

Our Efforts to Bargain Met with Delays

The journey to our first collective agreement began on October 18th, 2024, when OPSEU/SEFPO officially notified Bayshore of our intent to bargain. At that time, we also requested legally required information (like employee lists, financial information, benefits details, and job descriptions) to prepare meaningful proposals.

While Bayshore initially responded on November 7th, 2024, suggesting two dates in January, we explained that our democratic process required time to elect and train your member-driven bargaining team. Bayshore agreed to allow us to carry out this vital process.

Despite this understanding, securing crucial information and timely meeting dates has been an uphill battle:

Information Withheld: On December 4th, 2024, we reiterated our request for the necessary disclosure. Bayshore's response was incomplete, providing only a list of employees and some benefits information, omitting other required details. We continued to request outstanding information, including a complete financial picture and updated employee contact lists, which is vital for us to communicate with you, our members. As late as February 21st, 2025, Bayshore stated they wouldn't provide an updated contact list until closer to May, actively preventing your union from communicating effectively with all members. Even at our first bargaining meeting on May 2nd, 2025, Bayshore refused to provide any financial disclosure, claiming they didn't need to under the law because they weren't asserting an inability to pay for the union's requests. An updated contact list was only provided at the end of this first meeting.

A Pattern of Rejected Dates:

On January 16th, 2025, your union, ready to move forward, offered nine different bargaining days across March, April, and May. Bayshore rejected all nine dates, countering with only one day in May and two in June.

We immediately accepted their May date and one of the June dates, and pressed for more.

After follow-ups, on February 4th, 2025, Bayshore proposed just two additional dates in July.

This stalling pattern reached a critical point on May 28th, 2025. Following our first and only bargaining session to date, your union proposed a comprehensive 18 potential bargaining dates throughout August, September, and October. Shockingly, Bayshore rejected all of these, offering only three single dates in late November and early December 2025 – pushing any substantive bargaining nearly six months down the road from our request!

Conciliation and Bayshore's Conveniently Timed Communication

The consistent stalling and frustration of the process by Bayshore led your union to file for Conciliation with the Ministry of Labour on March 17th, 2025. This step involves a third party to help navigate negotiations when an employer is not bargaining reasonably.

It’s telling that only after our members held a rally and demonstration outside the Bayshore office, an event to which the local news was invited, did Bayshore management, through the Branch Area Director, send out an email to employees. The timing of this communication is noteworthy.

In this email, the Branch Area Director acknowledges the rally and states Bayshore will negotiate in "good faith." She also claims Bayshore is "not in control of the collective bargaining process" and references their initial offer of January dates. This overlooks the fact that we clearly explained we couldn't meet those initial dates due to our internal democratic processes of electing and training your bargaining team – a process they had agreed to accommodate.

While the email confirms the few dates OPSEU/SEFPO has managed to secure (May 2nd, June 19th, July 11th, and 16th), it conveniently ignores the numerous dates your union proposed that Bayshore rejected, and the extensive delays in providing full disclosure. It also attempts to shift responsibility for the slow pace of bargaining, a narrative clearly contradicted by the documented evidence of your union consistently pushing for more dates and timely information.

At our first meeting on May 2nd, 2025, Bayshore also attempted to suggest the union was responsible for delays – a claim then, as now, unsupported by the facts.

This is Not Good Faith Bargaining

Bayshore's continued refusal to agree to regular and earlier bargaining dates, coupled with their reluctance to provide necessary information in a timely manner, is a clear indication that they are not approaching these negotiations in good faith.

Meaningful progress on your first collective agreement is impossible when the employer creates such extensive, unnecessary delays. Their recent email, strategically timed after your public action, does little to change this reality. Actions speak louder than words.

It's Time to Mobilize – Make Your Voice Heard!

Your public pressure is clearly having an impact. Bayshore is responding, although very slowly. They need to understand that OPSEU/SEFPO Local 745 members are united and demand to be treated with respect. We will not stand by while our efforts to bargain a fair contract are roadblocked.

Here's what you can do:

• Talk to your colleagues: Share this information. Ensure everyone understands who is truly responsible for these delays and sees Bayshore's recent email in the context of your collective action.

• Sign the petition: Show your support for fair bargaining by sharing and signing our petition. You can find it here

• Stay informed: Keep an eye out for updates from your bargaining team.

• Show your solidarity: Let your bargaining team and your employer know that you support the call for fair and timely negotiations. Wear your union colours, attend virtual or in-person union meetings, and be ready to support further actions if necessary.

• Raise your concerns: Let Bayshore know that you are aware of these delay tactics and that you expect them to come to the table ready to bargain seriously and frequently, not just send emails after public pressure.

  
  

Your bargaining team is committed to achieving a fair collective agreement, but we need your active support to pressure Bayshore to truly bargain in good faith and stop these stalling tactics. Your recent rally showed them you're paying attention – let's keep that pressure up!

Together, we are stronger.

Your Local 745 LEC and Bargaining Committee

Stay tuned for further updates.