Community Social Services bargaining will resume in the new year

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Community Social Services Bargaining Update

The nine-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) has not been back to the negotiations table since early November. Included here are some updates for CSS members.

The CSSBA has been hard at work for many months, negotiating with the representatives of the employers’ association, and bringing forward the priorities that CSS members had identified. These priorities include fair and equitable wages to address rising costs, meaningful recognition of rights for Indigenous workers, and mental health supports for workers. 

Progress has been made at the table, including many agreements on monetary and non-monetary priorities. However, there are significant disagreements with the employers on a few key priorities in all three sub-sector community social services agreements. 

The bargaining committee is working towards true reconciliation, which includes making sure that all Indigenous workers are respected, and their cultural needs are valued. The committee believes that our shared commitment to reconciliation should be reflected in improvements in the collective agreement. 

The committee will continue to fight for the best collective agreement possible, valuing CSS workers and the work they bring to the workplace and community. The committee is working towards an agreement that not only puts more money in the pockets of CSS members, but also enables them to take care of their health and have a safe workplace. 

The bargaining committee is also working to address a systemic issue with the community social services sector: recruitment and retention. The committee is working hard to bring these priorities to the table - supporting CSS work and making it more attractive to new workers in the sector.

The CSSBA had hoped to be able to schedule additional bargaining dates before the end of 2022, but due to scheduling challenges, that is not possible. They are now looking at bargaining dates in the new year and we will keep CSS members updated. 

Please make sure all CSS members have up-to-date contact information with HEU: https://www.heu.org/change-contact-information