Dear PSUO-SSUO Members,
Friday at 5:30 P.M., June 26th, the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) released the vote results of the Last Offer Vote, an unnecessary vote put to the membership by our Employer, the University of Ottawa.
I am extremely pleased to share with you that PSUO-SSUO members overwhelmingly rejected the offer, with 80% voting NO.
Thank you to the over 1,037 members who voted, proving how engaged you are. Members clearly said no to cuts the University wanted to make, telling them to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal.
I want to tell you that we heard you.
While working on this critical Vote No campaign over the last four weeks, you spoke to us about your concerns. Among those concerns were a safe return to work post-pandemic, addressing the many unfilled vacant positions, and what working from home should look like moving forward. I can assure you we will continue to raise these issues with the University.
This vote result sends a strong message to the University that they need to respect you and the work you do and to take your issues seriously when we raise them at the bargaining table.
The Bargaining Team’s goal remains unchanged: A fair collective agreement for all members. I know we all want to get back to what matters most - making the University an exceptional teaching and learning environment, and most importantly, a workplace we are all proud to be a part of now and in the future.
On behalf of the PSUO-SSUO Executive Committee and Bargaining Team, I want to thank all of you for the support you have shown in your elected Executive Committee and Bargaining Team and we hope to get back to the bargaining table with the University in the very near future.