Updates

Job Posting - Labour Relations Specialist

LABOUR RELATIONS SPECIALIST

The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union is seeking a full-time Labour Relations Specialist. COPE Ontario is a grassroots union with multiple workplaces across the province is seeking to hire a Labour Relations Specialist. The Labour Relations Specialist works as their assigned Locals’ main contact for servicing at the members’ workplaces. Applicants should have demonstrated experience in, and an extensive knowledge of unions and labour relations to assist and expand the union’s capacity through bargaining strong collective agreements and representing members in workplaces.

REQUIREMENTS:

The selected candidate must be able to perform the following duties and other related duties:

  1. Membership Service: The Labour Relations Specialist is a resource person and advisor for members with work- related problems. In this regard, the Labour Relations Specialist shall a) provide assistance and accurate advice with grievances and discipline; b) advise members as to their rights and obligations under relevant legislation and regulations, their Collective Agreement, COPE Ontario constitution and the Local’s By-laws.
  2. Grievances, representation, arbitrations, and other legal matters: The Labour Relations Specialist advises and represents members; investigates, prepares, presents, and represents members in grievances with the assistance of Stewards and Executive officers; and assists with arbitrations, Labour Relations Board (or equivalent) proceedings and makes determinations on the merit and filing of grievances or resolving workplace/policy issues in alternative formats.
  3. Contract Negotiations: The Labour Relations Specialist, in conjunction with the local union, is the Chief spokesperson for sub-local bargaining teams, and is the lead for all tasks associated with contract negotiations, including research, drafting of contract proposals, bargaining, organizing around the bargaining process, conciliation, mediation, and preparation for job action.
  4. Resource to the Local’s Executive: The Labour Relations Specialist is a resource person and advisor to the local Executive and assists it in the carrying out of its duties. The Labour Relations Specialist shall provide support and mentorship of local executives and The Labour Relations Specialist will unless otherwise advised, attend monthly Executive meetings, and shall report to the meeting, as deemed appropriate by the Executive. When requested, the Labour Relations Specialist shall attend membership and sub-local membership meetings, and Local committee meetings. Help organize general membership meetings, steward meetings, joint labour- management meetings, and arrange on-site location unit visits.
  5. External Liaison: The Labour Relations Specialist, in conjunction with the local union, is a liaison between the Local and the Local's Employers and other affiliated groups, including unions, political organizations, associations, students’ unions, etc.
  6. Administration & Training: The Labour Relations Specialist will assist the Local President and other officers, and conduct workshops, presentations, and training as required.
  7. It is understood that the emphasis placed on the tasks in this job description may vary from time to time based on the needs of the Local. Setting of priorities shall be done in consultation with COPE Ontario’s Director.
  8. This job requires the employee to travel to different parts of the province and to work evenings and the occasional weekend as required and agreed to. The workspace is flexible and the office space available is sometimes shared.

 

OCEW Bargaining Update for COPE Ontario Education Locals

The Ontario Council of Education Workers (OCEW) issued notice to bargain on July 19, 2022 to the Council of Trustees’ Association (CTA), representing workers at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) and the Ministry of Education.

OCEW is a Council of Unions representing education workers consisting of OPSEU, COPE Ontario, Unifor, LIUNA Local 837, Maintenance and Construction Skilled Trades Council and Essex & Kent Counties Skilled Trades Council.

The parties will, initially, begin discussions to determine the central and local table issues and then look to schedule dates to commence bargaining.

In solidarity,

Ontario Council of Education Workers

Welcome the Emergency Management workers of the Ontario Zone at the Canadian Red Cross

Hello COPE Family,

We’re thrilled to announce that the Emergency Management workers of the Ontario Zone at the Canadian Red Cross recently voted to join COPE Local 343!

As workers who provide support to those going through some of the most difficult times in their lives as they navigate disasters and unexpected emergencies, they are aware of the benefits of coming together in solidarity and collaborating to find a path forward.

We’re proud that these Emergency Management workers from the Canadian Red Cross have chosen to join the COPE union family. Having a Union looking out for you and working alongside workers is beneficial to workers in all sectors – including the non-profit sector. We’re looking forward to collaborating with the workers as we negotiate their first Collective Agreement, together.

I’d like to congratulate Val and Casey for the hard work!!

In solidarity,

Lorrie Vandersluis, President

 

Ontario Federation of Labour - Prevention Link’s Summer and Fall courses

Prevention Link’s Summer and Fall courses are open for registration! Don’t miss your opportunity to enroll in our popular introductory workshops, and other one-day workshops including Return to Work 101, Principles of Accommodation Law, and Hearings in Writing.

Upcoming courses open for registration:

You will also have an option to enroll in our in-person Workers’ Comp Fundamentals Mini School, taking place at Bayview Wildwood Resort September 25 – 30, 2022.

Participants in this mini school will have the option of taking either our popular introductory courses of Level 1 & Level 2, or taking our Level 4 course, Return to Work, available for the first time from Prevention Link in two years!

For more details and to register, visit our website.

Follow Prevention Link on social media to learn more about what we offer, things we care about, and workers’ compensation: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn.

Healthcare Sector Meetings - 2022

COPE Ontario will be hosting virtual meetings for all COPE Ontario Healthcare Sector Locals and or bargaining units. Local Presidents, Chairpersons, current negotiating committee and Executive Board members are invited to participate. Meetings start at 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Upcoming Meetings scheduled:

September 21

November 30

Please register with Pina Farisco at [email protected] or with Maureen O'Halloran at [email protected] 

 

Amid staffing shortages, Hamilton educators are reporting ‘horrendous’ classroom violence

COPE 527 vice-president Linda Kowalski said there has been an “exodus of workers.” “We’ve had more retirements and resignations than ever since September,” she said.
More than 30 members have retired or resigned since the beginning of the school year. Typically, COPE would see a “handful” of resignations and between 20 and 30 retirements in a year, Lucek said. Those who are still in classrooms are “tired and frustrated,” she said. “Our members are burning out now in December,” Lucek said.

Toronto

Email:
Phone:
416-703-8515
Address:
555 Richmond St W, Suite 1101
Toronto, ON M5V 3B1

Thunder Bay

Email:
Phone:
807-345-9344
Address:
1126 Roland Street
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5M4