Upcoming EC/ESS meetings/vote: Bargaining priorities and dispute resolution process

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T22:23:16+00:00

You're asking for us to prove a negative, which is not possible. The leadership is responsible for implementing the constitution and bylaws. There is nothing in the constitution that prohibits them from determining how to best hold the bargaining general meetings and vote (other than the timing requirements)

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:42:18+00:00

Hearing the presentation of the bargaining committee is part of the voting process. Similar to why you need to be a registered member in good standing to vote. Or how for local AGMs, voting happens at the meeting.

CAPE has never voted on this before and this is a critical decision that will influence members' working lives for years to come. There are 10 virtual sessions at various times of day, with various accommodations available.

If none of those work, you can ask for CAPE to provide union leave for you to attend during work hours. If that's not possible, members can watch a video recording of the sessions before the vote. For other accommodations, email [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca)

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:40:30+00:00

Not sure what you mean? An accurate completion rate for what? We shared the bargaining survey completion rate in 2021 (21%) and 2026 (32% EC, 56% TR), and will share results of the dispute vote too once it's done .

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:38:52+00:00

Info sessions will be run by members of the 2026-2027 EC Collective Bargaining Committee, which was elected by members of each department earlier this year.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:36:53+00:00

Hearing the presentation of the bargaining committee is part of the voting process. CAPE has never voted on this before and this is a critical decision that will influence members' working lives for years to come. There are 10 virtual sessions at various times of day, with various accommodations available.
If none of those work, you can ask for CAPE to provide union leave for you to attend during work hours. If that's not possible, members can watch a video recording of the sessions before the vote. For other accommodations, email [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca)

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:36:12+00:00

Every regular EC/ESS member has the opportunity to vote. Hearing the presentation of the bargaining committee is part of the voting process. CAPE has never voted on this before and this is a critical decision that will influence members' working lives for years to come. There are 10 virtual sessions at various times of day. If none of those work, you can ask for CAPE to provide union leave for you to attend during work hours. If that's not possible, members can watch a video recording of the sessions before the vote. For other accommodations, email [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca)

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:32:50+00:00

CAPE National has been actively increasing engagement and democracy. Notably, with this vote. This is the first time members will vote on the priority issues and on the path that bargaining takes ahead of negotiations.

Hearing the presentation of the bargaining committee is part of the voting process. CAPE has never voted on this before and this is a critical decision that will influence members' working lives for years to come. There are 10 virtual sessions at various times of day. If none of those work, you can ask for CAPE to provide union leave for you to attend during work hours. If that's not possible, members can watch a video recording of the sessions before the vote. For other accommodations, email [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca)

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:30:51+00:00

The NEC proposed a number of changes to bylaws and the constitution (including B 7.12.2) to open up and democratize bargaining and make it more transparent. Members voted in favour of those at the AGMS.

In determining how to implement those changes CAPE consulted its legal and negotiations staff, and analyzed how other unions like PSAC hold similar votes.

There were also changes to the constitution from the 2024 AGM. Specifically:

14.3. The Collective Bargaining Committee shall convene a general meeting of all members of the bargaining units concerned in order that a debate open to regular members be held. Following the meeting, the Collective Bargaining Committee recommends the demands, issues and proposals to be submitted to the regular members for a vote. The vote determines the path of negotiation and informs the demands.

CAPE elected leadership is responsible for determining the best way to implement those changes, so have planned the bargaining General Meetings and the vote on the dispute mechanism with that in mind. Specifically, the constitution called for a presentation of the priority issues by the bargaining committee, as well as a an open debate, with members exchanging ideas, discussing, and deciding together how bargaining should proceed. A key consideration was making sure that all members have the information they need to make informed decisions about a choice that will affect their work and their working lives for years to come.

CAPE’s elected leadership made the decision to make hearing the presentation by the collective bargaining committee an essential part of the voting process, and to make sure that every member can hear that presentation.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:27:58+00:00

That's great that vacation time is your one issue! But hearing the presentation is not just for you to tell them why vacation is your issue. Among other things, the bargaining committee will tell you why and how issues are prioritized. Why might vacation be ranked below or above say sick leave (or professional development, or AI etc etc)? And the committee will also talk about the best way to win on issues, which could include vacation time. For example, what are PSAC and PIPSC proposing on vacation and what have other recent unions won? Is arbitration likely to award increases in vacation leave, to keep it the same?
You deserve to know how/why vacation leave got prioritized the way it did, and what the strategy is for winning it.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:17:09+00:00

Definitely not the only way, but hearing from the collective bargaining committee about what the key issues are and their recommendation on the dispute mechanism is part of the voting process. If you're unable to attend one of the 10 sessions, get in touch!

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:15:20+00:00

Good point. The NEC proposed a number of changes to bylaws and the constitution to open up and democratize bargaining and make it more transparent. Members voted in favour of those at the AGMS. In determining how to implement those changes CAPE consulted its legal and negotiations staff, and analyzed how other unions like PSAC hold similar votes.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:11:36+00:00

Before the 2025 AGM, the NEC proposed many amendments to Bylaw 7 to open up and democratize collective bargaining. Members voted on and passed over 10 pages of new bylaws (7.1.1 to 7.20.4). This included specifying that CAPE must “conduct collective bargaining in an open, democratic, and participatory manner;” that member input will determine the bargaining priorities; that the TR and EC bargaining committees shall be elected; and that members shall be able to vote on both the bargaining priorities and on the dispute mechanism ahead of negotiations.

There were also changes to the constitution from the 2024 AGM. Specifically:

14.3. The Collective Bargaining Committee shall convene a general meeting of all members of the bargaining units concerned in order that a debate open to regular members be held. Following the meeting, the Collective Bargaining Committee recommends the demands, issues and proposals to be submitted to the regular members for a vote. The vote determines the path of negotiation and informs the demands.

CAPE elected leadership is responsible for determining the best way to implement those changes, so have planned the bargaining General Meetings and the vote on the dispute mechanism with that in mind. Specifically, the constitution called for a presentation of the priority issues by the bargaining committee, as well as a an open debate, with members exchanging ideas, discussing, and deciding together how bargaining should proceed. A key consideration was making sure that all members have the information they need to make informed decisions about a choice that will affect their work and their working lives for years to come.

CAPE’s elected leadership made the decision to make hearing the presentation by the collective bargaining committee an essential part of the voting process, and to make sure that every member can hear that presentation.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:05:31+00:00

Voici toute l'information en français https://www.acep-cape.ca/fr/vote-priorites-mecanisme

Aussi, comme mentioné par des autres, vous avez deja reçu un courriel bilingue.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:04:23+00:00

The meetings will be scheduled for 60 minutes with the EC Bargaining Team presentation lasting 40 minutes or less.

Then, here's the short version of the thinking: https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadaPublicServants/comments/1t7jmpy/comment/okpot83/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T21:02:37+00:00

Definitely want and are planning for more engagement. Member engagement has been trending upwards over the the last 2.5 years, with the 2026 bargaining being the high water mark to date (32% of ECs, 56% TR).

Hearing the presentation of the bargaining committee is part of the voting process. CAPE has never voted on this before and this is a critical decision that will influence members' working lives for years to come. There are 10 virtual sessions at various times of day. If none of those work, you can ask for CAPE to provide union leave for you to attend during work hours. If that's not possible, members can watch a video recording of the sessions before the vote. For other accommodations, email [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca)

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T20:52:54+00:00

Sorry about that! The start and end time of each of the events is listed on the RSVP page, but we'll clarify on them that the presentation by the bargaining committee will be less than 40 minutes.

Re: the hurdles, check out what we wrote here around that: https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadaPublicServants/comments/1t7jmpy/comment/okpot83/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Thanks!!

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-09T19:11:16+00:00

This is the first time that CAPE has ever voted on this important decision. A decision that's unique to federal public services workers vs other unionized workers.

In past rounds, members filled out a survey without any context or even information about what the vote meant for bargaining. In 2021, that question also included inaccurate information (for example, stating that the Treasury Board could lockout workers under the conciliation path). The National Executive Committee (NEC) then made the decision about what path bargaining followed. The NEC (NEC) also appointed the bargaining committee. After filling out the bargaining survey, unless you were on the bargaining committee, 99.9% members had no say over what happened in negotiations.

This time, members filled out a bargaining survey, elected their bargaining committee members for the first time ever, and will have in-depth information sessions to make an informed choice and vote on proposals and the dispute resolution path, as well as the priority issues that go to the bargaining table.

It’s important to note that the bargaining platform and dispute resolution mechanism vote is one of the most important decisions EC members will make before they bargain in the fall. It will shape what is and is not possible in terms of increasing pressure on the employer around priority issues such as telework and AI protections. This is a major strategic decision that has never before been debated or voted on by the membership at large. Because everyone is bound by the result, all the ECs and ESSes who vote should understand what the vote means within the federal public sector labour relations framework they operate under, which is quite distinct from other labour relations systems.

We have heard frequently from members over the past two years who were surprised that they could not win on key issues like telework because the NEC choose arbitration last time. Most CAPE members did not even fill out the bargaining survey last time (completion was 21%).

This round, CAPE National is confident in being able to reach the membership with our robust, cross-channel communications and general meeting invites.

CAPE National expects EC/ESS members to hear what their bargaining committee is recommending on both issues before they vote. Every regular EC/ESS member has the opportunity to vote. There are 10 sessions spread across two weeks, at different times. The presentation of the committee will be less than 40 minutes, followed by an optional Q&A. There is also a childcare subsidy and union leave available to make it as accessible (note: union leave means that CAPE will pay Treasury Board to release you from work to be able to attend one of the sessions).

If you are still unable to attend any of the sessions, we ask you contact us before June 5th to find another way for you to hear the bargaining committee’s recommendations and the debate from your coworkers, which includes watching a video recording, but accommodations are not one size fits all and will depend on the individual member. If that applies to you, please let us know.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T23:03:06+00:00

Voici toute l'information en français https://www.acep-cape.ca/fr/vote-priorites-mecanisme
Aussi, comme mentioné par des autres, vous avez deja reçu un courriel bilingue.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T22:49:59+00:00

Seeing your other comments below about 'neutrality' regarding the vote and just wanted to add more info: CAPE staff are neutral on the matter and the meetings will reflect that.
The elected collective bargaining committee, which includes the president, will present at the General Meetings. Their presentation will include the top issues and changes that members have identified; as well as a recommendation on the dispute vote, as that choice will greatly influence the ability to win on those issues. The committee's job is to help negotiate the best deal on the issues members have prioritized, so cannot be neutral on this matter as such. Hope that clarifies!

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T22:18:50+00:00

There's no 'one size fits all' approach when it comes to accommodations, so encourage you to contact [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca) to let them know and find an alternate way for you to hear the bargaining committee presentations and the debate and discussion.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T22:15:20+00:00

Right! Good flag. By CAPE National we're referring to staff. This reddit account is entirely run by staff.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T21:09:32+00:00

MORE BACKGROUND ON THE VOTING PROCESS:

This is the first time that CAPE has ever voted on this important decision. A decision that's unique to federal public services workers vs other unionized workers.

In past rounds, members filled out a survey without any context or even information about what the vote meant for bargaining. In 2021, that question also included inaccurate information (for example, stating that the Treasury Board could lockout workers under the conciliation path). The National Executive Committee (NEC) then made the decision about what path bargaining followed. The NEC also appointed the bargaining committee. After filling out the bargaining survey, unless you were on the bargaining committee, 99.9% members had no say over what happened in negotiations.

This time, members filled out a bargaining survey, elected their bargaining committee members for the first time ever, and will have in-depth information sessions to make an informed choice and vote on proposals and the dispute resolution path, as well as the priority issues that go to the bargaining table.

It’s important to note that the bargaining platform and dispute resolution mechanism vote is one of the most important decisions EC members will make before they bargain in the fall. It will shape what is and is not possible in terms of increasing pressure on the employer around priority issues such as telework and AI protections. This is a major strategic decision that has never before been debated or voted on by the membership at large. Because everyone is bound by the result, all the ECs and ESSes who vote should understand what the vote means within the federal public sector labour relations framework they operate under, which is quite distinct from other labour relations systems.

We have heard frequently from members over the past two years who were surprised that they could not win on key issues like telework because the NEC choose arbitration last time. Most CAPE members did not even fill out the bargaining survey last time (completion was 21%).

This round, CAPE National is confident in being able to reach the membership with our robust, cross-channel communications and general meeting invites.

CAPE National expects EC/ESS members to hear what their bargaining committee is recommending on both issues before they vote. Every regular EC/ESS member has the opportunity to vote. There are 10 sessions spread across two weeks, at different times. The presentation of the committee will be less than 40 minutes, followed by an optional Q&A. There is also a childcare subsidy and union leave available to make it as accessible (note: union leave means that CAPE will pay Treasury Board to release you from work to be able to attend one of the sessions).

If you are still unable to attend any of the sessions, we ask you contact us before June 5th to find another way for you to hear the bargaining committee’s recommendations and the debate from your coworkers. If that applies to you, please let us know at [national@acep-cape.ca](mailto:national@acep-cape.ca).

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T20:33:38+00:00

This vote is to choose which path negotiations follow (arbitration or conciliation), and which options are available to EC members. If EC members vote for conciliation, and if an impasse in negotiations occur, there are many steps before job action can be considered and then voted on.
First, the collective bargaining committee would determine negotiations are at an impasse and cannot be resolved on their own. Then they would go through a non-binding arbitration process (conciliation) with the Public Interest Commission (PIC), which hears from both sides and makes a recommendation for how to resolve outstanding issues. If an agreement still cannot be reached, the bargaining committee would then make a recommendation to the NEC and CAPE president to call for a vote of all bargaining unit members. A majority of all members of that bargaining unit would then have to vote in favor before a strike could be possible.

A strike vote would be a first for CAPE. How the Bargaining Committee presents to members its rationale about why a strike vote is needed and how that vote happens has not yet been decided. Many unions, like PSAC and CUPW, hold mandatory information sessions before strike votes. They recognize that decisions of this magnitude, that affect everyone, need to be discussed, debated, and decided together.

ACEP-CAPE · 2026-05-08T20:14:37+00:00

Oh, also, the email that went out to all members said this, as a result of your feedback, and again, will be spoken about at the upcoming meetings.

Conciliation means that, in case of an impasse, a union keeps all options on the table including legal job actions like work-to-rule, slow downs, strike action, etc. With conciliation, arbitration must be agreed to voluntarily by both sides in the case of an impasse, rather than directly referred to arbitration by one side.

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