The Society will conduct the strike vote at membership meetings which will be held prior to the start of conciliation. At the meeting, you will be provided with an explanation of what the remaining issues are and will be given an opportunity to ask questions. The vote will be conducted by secret ballot at the end of each meeting. You must attend a meeting in order to vote.

STRIKE VOTE DATES AND LOCATIONS

WHY A STRIKE VOTE? 

For almost 3 months your Bargaining Team has been working to secure a fair collective agreement that we can recommend to you. We have made our best efforts during this period to address major concerns identified by members. Unfortunately, there are significant issues that Bruce Power is unwilling to move on. On May 1, 2023, we filed for conciliation so the Minister of Labour can appoint an independent third-party conciliator to assist us in reaching an agreement. 

In the event that there is no agreement stemming from the conciliation process then a “No Board Report” is requested and after 17 days both parties will be in a legal position to engage in a strike or lockout. Having a strong strike mandate in preparation for conciliation discussions will provide our Bargaining Team increased leverage with the employer. The ultimate power of any union is the ability to withdraw their labour. A strong strike mandate demonstrates our willingness to stand up for our bargaining demands and is essential to us securing a fair collective agreement. Given the seriousness of this request your Bargaining Team has decided on a gradual, two step approach.  

WHAT IS A TWO-STEP STRIKE VOTE? 

In the first strike vote, members would authorize job actions up to, but excluding, a full withdrawal of services. These actions would only be a series of limited, short-term or local job actions. Some examples could include work-to-rule, overtime bans, and small targeted removals of service. We are the professionals at Bruce Power and understand our workplace and any strike activity we engage in will put the well-being and safety of our members and our community first. 

Prior to any full-scale walkout taking place, a second strike vote would be taken.

WHY IS A POSITIVE STRIKE VOTE NECESSARY?

A strong strike vote means a high percentage of voting members indicate YES on their ballots. In 2019 we secured a strike vote of 97%. This kind of positive strike vote is necessary so Bruce Power knows our members are strongly opposed to the employer’s requests for concessions and that we are willing to stand collectively behind our bargaining demands.

For a strike vote to send a clear and united message of determination, it is important for the vote to be approved by a strong majority. Your Bargaining Team, Society Council of Delegates, and the leadership of the Society of United Professionals unanimously recommend that Bruce Power Society members vote “YES” in the first strike vote.