March 15, 2019 - On March 13th and 14th the company and the Union met to begin bargaining a revised collective agreement for our members working at Stericycle. 

The company’s bargaining committee consists of chief negotiator Cal Schmidt, VP of Labour Relations, Ashley Grodecki, Michelle Matte and Tasha Walker. 

In preparation for bargaining, the Union surveyed the membership and learned job security and work-life balance are top priorities of the members. 

With that information, we prepared bargaining proposals that are fair and reasonable. Our proposals seek improvements to wages, job security, work-life balance and a benefits package that properly rewards our members. 

The Union was surprised the company did not table bargaining proposals until they had received and reviewed our proposals first. Once we eventually received the company’s proposals mid-afternoon on March 13th, the parties then began exploratory discussions to ensure a mutual understanding of the company’s proposals. 

As is common in negotiations, both parties are addressing non-monetary issues first. 

The company has tabled concessionary items to eliminate your sick time bank, reduce seniority provisions and limit the Union’s ongoing ability to enforce the collective agreement. 

There was some agreement by the parties on a few proposals, which is encouraging at this stage of negotiations. However, the company has not yet provided responses to several major bargaining proposals. 

Please remember that your current collective agreement is still in effect and continues until a new agreement is ratified by the membership. 

Availability of future bargaining dates are being reviewed into April and May. 

We will provide additional bargaining updates as negotiations continue. 

Together, we are Union Strong! 

In solidarity, 

Your Unit 63 Stericycle Bargaining Committee 
Louise Davis
Joan Mitchell
Perry Pasqualetto, Local Union Representative
Steve McWhirter, Local Union Representative