30 July 2026
Bargaining Committee Meets In Person to Prepare for Negotiations
This week marked an important milestone in our journey toward collective bargaining as your Bargaining Committee came together in person for the first time for three full days of proposal preparation in Toronto.
We were pleased to meet at the offices of Unifor Local 2002, representing Air Canada airport workers. On behalf of our Local, we extend our sincere appreciation to Local 2002 for their generosity in opening their doors and providing us with a collaborative space to undertake this important work. Their support and solidarity are a reminder of the strength of our union movement.
Over the past several months, members have been sharing their priorities and ideas through our Bargaining Feedback QR Code. The response has been outstanding, with more than 1,400 individual comments submitted from members across our Local.
During these three days, the committee carefully organized every submission and worked through each unique suggestion article by article. Every recommendation was discussed thoroughly, with thoughtful consideration given to the issues affecting our members today and the priorities we hope to advance at the bargaining table. This process has helped ensure that our bargaining proposals are built on the experiences, concerns, and ideas shared directly by our membership.
While these three days marked the beginning of our in-person work together, the committee’s efforts are far from over. Throughout the summer, we will continue meeting virtually to refine proposals, conduct additional research, and prepare our strategy.
Our next opportunity to meet in person will be August 23–28 at the Unifor Family Education Centre, where the committee will participate in Collective Bargaining Training alongside other Unifor bargaining committees from across the country. This intensive training will help further prepare our team for negotiations.
Collective bargaining with the Company is scheduled to begin on September 14.
Thank you to every member who took the time to submit feedback and share your ideas. Your participation is shaping the priorities that will guide your Bargaining Committee throughout negotiations. As we move closer to the bargaining table, we remain committed to representing your interests and keeping you informed every step of the way.
Together, we are building a stronger collective agreement.
07 July 2026
Roundtables: Thank you!
On behalf of the Bargaining Committee, I want to extend our sincere thanks to each of you that attended at least one or more of the over 20 collective bargaining feedback roundtables held throughout the month of June.
Your efforts to engage with our bargaining committee and other Local members and create opportunities for open, honest discussion have been invaluable. Ensuring that the ideas, concerns, and priorities of our membership are heard is one of the most important parts of the bargaining process. The strength of our proposals depends on the voices of the members we represent, and your dedication has helped make that possible.
We have now reviewed the available notes from the roundtables and are pleased to see so many thoughtful suggestions and valuable insights. There is a great deal to consider as we begin developing our bargaining priorities, alongside the guidance and expertise provided by Unifor National.
Throughout July and August, the committee will be organizing and analyzing all of the feedback received through both the roundtables and the bargaining feedback QR code submissions.
As we review the feedback, we may identify gaps or outstanding questions that require additional input from the membership. Where needed, we will develop targeted surveys to gather that information, and we will once again rely on your support to encourage strong member participation. The more engagement we receive, the stronger our bargaining position will be.
Looking ahead, we are planning to host in-person town hall meetings in each city during September/October. These sessions will provide an opportunity to share as much information as we can with the membership, discuss our progress, and continue building engagement as we move closer to the different stages of bargaining.
To the bargaining committee members, elected alternates, and advocates that lead and hosted these important discussions - thank you once again for your professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication to representing our members. Your work is making a meaningful difference, and we appreciate the commitment each of you has shown throughout this important process.
Erica Kelly, Unifor Local 531 President