February 6, 2025 - Update on Collective Bargaining with CUPE Local 1606

This is a follow-up to the recent message about the status of collective bargaining between Buffalo Trail Public Schools and CUPE Local 1606. On February 3, 2025, we received a letter from our mediator formally concluding the mediation process. As we noted before, this was because CUPE asked that the process end. We are now in the two-week ‘cooling-off’ period that is required by the Labour Relations Code. 

We want it to be clear that while the mediation process has formally ended, the School Board is prepared to return to the table and continue to bargain with CUPE. We have tabled a monetary proposal that provides for a total of 10% in wage increases over the term of a four-year agreement. To quote our mediator, when we presented this monetary proposal to CUPE, CUPE “… reiterated its monetary proposal and declared there was an impasse.” It did not provide a counter-proposal.   

We have heard some misinformation being shared about the status of the negotiations. We were prepared to meet with CUPE on March 24 and 25, 2025, to continue discussions. Those dates had been booked in both our and the mediator’s calendars, and we understood that they were held by CUPE as well. We were surprised to read in a recent communication that CUPE felt these dates were “never confirmed.” The fact is that the March 2025 dates were scheduled, but were cancelled. They were cancelled by our mediator, based on what CUPE stated about its unwillingness to narrow the issues towards a settlement. 

Our preference remains that the School Board and CUPE work together to reach a mutually agreeable Collective Agreement. Our hope is that the parties can get back to the table. We have been able to negotiate successive agreements with CUPE, and are hopeful that we will be able to do so again.   

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact labourrelations@btps.ca. We want to ensure that as we continue through the bargaining process, you have access to the facts.