Where are we so far? The bargaining committee wants to provide an update to members on where we are in bargaining. Over the fall the bargaining committee met several days to review the collective agreement.

On December 13, 2025, we finalized all our language proposals and share this with the employer. These proposals represent the core themes and principles presented at the USW Town Hall on January 22: fair wages, balanced work, job security, rights and protections, and equity. The employer shared their first language proposal with us.

We have also developed a strategic approach for our monetary proposals. This strategy will continue to evolve and be informed by various factors, including the results of the membership survey, outcomes from other locals in the Unity Council’s current bargaining efforts, the employer’s response to our language proposals, and the results of the Strike Mandate vote. We are committed to ensuring that our financial proposals are robust and responsive to the evolving bargaining landscape.

On January 16, 2025, the USW 2010 bargaining team dedicated a day to discussions with the employer. During this time, we asked numerous questions related to the data the union receives about members and positions. These discussions helped us gain a clearer understanding and strengthened our position as we moved forward.

On February 7th, 2025, we responded to the employer’s first proposal. This exchange marked a significant step in our negotiations and lays the groundwork for our continued dialogue. We had our first meeting with the Ministry Conciliator and learned more about their role during the bargaining process.

Last week was planned to include two days of bargaining and a day of caucusing. However, due to the illness of the chair of the employer’s bargaining team, our schedule shifted to two days of caucusing, and one day of bargaining. Despite this change, the USW bargaining team made excellent use of the time, developing Letters of Understanding that protect employees with specific working conditions and vulnerabilities in need of protection. Additionally, we continued to refine our strategy for monetary proposals and have worked on a tracker to support up-to-date information on USW 2010 bargaining.

Our next bargaining dates are Feb 13, 14.

Each step brings us closer to achieving our goals. Thank you for your unwavering support and solidarity as we navigate this important process together.