Unit 1
What is bargaining?
Bargaining is the process you undertake through your union to reach a collective agreement with your employer to determine your working conditions. Bargaining at CUPE 3902 when a Unit’s collective agreement expires, which typically happens every 3 years. At this point you elect members to a bargaining committee to organize the bargaining process.
2023-2024 was a bargaining year for Unit 1, and you and your coworkers organized a historic coordinated campaign with Unit 5, CUPE 3261 (U of T service workers) and CUPE 1230 (U of T library workers).
Your current Collective Agreement expires on December 31, 2026, making 2026-2027 your next bargaining year.
What is a Bargaining Committee?
The Bargaining Committee (BC) is the committee which sits down with the employer to negotiate the next tentative agreement. The BC is composed of the Local president (or designate), the unit vice-president, one staff member, and a number of rank and file members determined by the size of the unit. The BC is specifically tasked with developing contract proposals, sitting at the negotiation table across from management, responding to employer proposals, and reaching tentative agreements.
What is a Bargaining Support Committee?
The Bargaining Support Committee (BSC) is responsible for organizing among the membership, the University, and the community in support of the Local’s aims in bargaining. Each bargaining unit has a BSC, which works with the unit’s Bargaining Team and the Local to develop and implement a plan for organizing around a round of bargaining. The Bargaining Support Committee has been preparing for potential strike action and has transitioned into the Strike Committee.
Bargaining Support Committee (BSC)
The Bargaining Support Committee (BSC) is responsible for organizing among the membership, the University, and the community in support of the Local’s aims in bargaining. Each bargaining unit has a BSC, which works with the unit’s Bargaining Team and the Local to develop and implement a plan for organizing around a round of bargaining. The Bargaining Support Committee has been preparing for potential strike action and has transitioned into the Strike Committee.
Join a Strike Subcommittee: A CUPE Locals Strike Committee has been formed and is coordinating administrative, financial, communications, and picketing subcommittees. You can sign up NOW to join a subcommittee.