OSBCU 2026 Central Bargaining Update #11 – October 22, 2026

OSBCU 2026 Central Bargaining
Update #11 – October 22, 2026

(Version française ci-après)

Update on the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) Process

Good afternoon,

Yesterday was the OSBCU’s second hearing date in the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) process involving CUPE-OSBCU and five other education unions.

As reported in our last bargaining update, the unions are challenging the Ford government’s power grab to move issues that have traditionally been bargained locally to the central bargaining table. These include local union leave, layoff and recall language, unpaid leaves of absence, and other local bargaining issues.

The unions’ legal teams are working cooperatively to present their arguments. Yesterday, each union completed its submissions on the remaining issues. Following the unions’ submissions, the Ministry of Education and the Council of Employers’ Associations (CEA), which represents school board employers across Ontario, began presenting their response. They will have two days to respond to the unions’ submissions, followed by a half day for the unions’ legal teams to respond to the Ministry and the CEA’s arguments.

Following the hearings on October 28, the OLRB is expected to issue bottom-line decisions in all matters, along with its reasoning. We are hopeful a decision will be available in early November, allowing us to get back to the bargaining table and continue fighting for the funding, staffing, and supports that education workers and students deserve.

We will continue to provide updates as the OLRB process progresses.

More opportunities to get involved to fight for funding and staffing!:

1. October 24 Regional Rallies: We’re two days away from the Rallies for Publicly Funded Education! Rallies will be held in five cities across the province in London, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Toronto! You do not need to get on a bus to sign up, so register today and tell a friend to join you! Let’s get as many members out to a rally and show this government that we are united in our calls for a properly funded public education system in Ontario. Register now: https://bit.ly/Together4Ed
2. OSBCU Roadshow: OSBCU elected leaders continue to hold meetings across Ontario to speak with members to provide bargaining updates, information on our mobilization plan, and the work we need to do to prepare for the November strike vote. Take a look at the upcoming dates and make sure you register today: OSBCU Roadshow – Ontario School Board Council of Unions

In Solidarity,

Your OSBCU Bargaining Committee

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