As we await a hearing and a decision from the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board with respect to the application to unionize the Phoenix Homes and ABI programs, we would like to hear from you on what you would like to see in your collective agreement, should the decision of the Board be in favour of unionization.

A survey link was sent out to everyone that we had an email address for. The survey will close on Wednesday, May 31,2023.  If you did not recieve an email with the link and you would like to complete the survey, please contact Aimee Nadon at anadon@cupe.ca or 306-523-8256.

As a follow up and to review the survey responses and further prioritize, we will be holding a noon hour luncheon on Tuesday, June 6 from 12:00-1:00 at the Ramada Plaza Regina-Oak Room.  Pizza and swag will be provided to those who attend.

The vote to unionize Phoenix Homes and ABI closed on March 10, 2022. Phoenix Residential Society has challenged the application stating that they don’t believe that the application represents an appropriate bargaining unit.

Here’s what this means:

• The ballots submitted to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) will remain sealed until a hearing is held
• The hearing has been scheduled for July 25th-27th
• The SLRB will hear each party and make a determination on the application
• If the SLRB determines that our application represents an appropriate bargaining unit, the votes will be counted at that time

If you have any questions, please contact Aimee Nadon at anadon@cupe.ca or 306-523-8256

Your ballot package from the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) is on its way.

On February 17, 2023, the SLRB issued a Notice of Vote to determine whether Phoenix HOMES and ABI program employees wish to be represented by CUPE for the purposes of collective bargaining with your Employer.

You may receive your ballot package as early as February 17, 2023. If you are not home when it arrives, you will likely receive a delivery notice that will require you to pick up your ballot package from a nearby Canada Post outlet.

Because of your support, we were able to more than fulfill the requirements to trigger this vote. Great work!

However, if we are to be successful in unionizing your workplace we need you and all other card-signers to mark your ballot by voting YES and mailing it back to SLRB as soon as you can.

If a majority of eligible voters who cast ballots vote YES then your workplace will be unionized and you can start your collective fight as CUPE members for workplace improvements.

Please carefully follow the SLRB’s instructions, using all the provided envelopes. Mark a X on the pink ballot paper in the YES box, then fold and place in the smallest envelope. Seal this envelope and then place this in the larger white envelope containing your name and job title. Seal this envelope and place in the postage-paid, return envelope and mail. Your return envelope must reach the SLRB office no later than March 10, but please mail as soon as you can so it doesn’t get misplaced.

If you do not use all the envelopes as instructed your ballot will likely be considered spoiled and won’t count. The SLRB uses this double-envelope system to ensure the secrecy of your ballot. No one will know how you voted, not your employer and not even the SLRB!

Please let me know if you do not receive your ballot by the end of next week or if you have any questions.

Aimee

anadon@cupe.ca

306-523-8256

Good afternoon,

I am pleased to inform you that CUPE has submitted an application to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board this afternoon to represent Phoenix Residential Society employees working in the Phoenix HOMES Program and ABI.

The SLRB has already forwarded our application to your Employer requesting that they provide in three business days the names of all employees (along with addresses, position titles and date of hire) who would be covered by the bargaining unit that CUPE has applied to represent. Please note that the signed union cards remain with the SLRB; this information is not shared with Phoenix Residential Society.

Once Phoenix Residential Society provides the requested information to the SLRB the union then has an opportunity to verify the accuracy of this employee list. Once it is confirmed that CUPE has submitted signed cards representing at least 45 percent of the bargaining unit, the SLRB will issue a Notice of Vote to start the secret ballot process, which may be a mail-in ballot or polling in the workplace. Details of the vote will be sent out by the SLRB and I will also send a follow up email once I receive confirmation of how the vote will be conducted. The ballot will ask if you wish to be represented by CUPE for the purpose of collective bargaining with your Employer. If a majority of those casting ballots vote YES, then your workplace will be unionized!

With your support, CUPE has been able to submit to the SLRB signed cards representing a strong majority of employees in the programs that you work in. The next stage of the unionization process is even more critical.  We need to ensure that all card-signers complete their ballots in favour of unionization to ensure success.

Please don’t hesitate to e-mail or call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued support!

Aimee Nadon
anadon@cupe.ca
306.523.8256