HOW TO PREPARE FOR
THE BARGAINING SUMMIT
Preparation is key to getting the most value from the Bargaining Summit. The more work you do in advance, the richer and more meaningful your experience will be over the two days of training. Arriving prepared allows for deeper discussion, stronger simulated bargaining sessions, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your Local.
PREPARING
YOUR
PROPOSALS
What to review and prepare before arriving at the Summit
Participants should arrive ready to bargain. In advance of the Summit, please review your current collective agreement and prepare proposals you would be prepared to table with your Employer.
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You can expect the Bargaining Summit to focus on establishing or improving language related to staffing, a Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI), contracting out, enhanced retirement security, improved indices, and remuneration while on leave, including WCB, maternity, and similar leaves. Your proposals should be specific to your Local’s existing agreement and reflect the realities you face at the bargaining table.
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If your Local already has strong language in these areas and you see limited opportunity for improvement, you are encouraged to prepare three to five proposals on other areas of your collective agreement that you hope to strengthen, improve, or add.
SIMULATED
BARGAINING
SESSIONS
What to expect during facilitated bargaining exercises
Each simulated bargaining session during the Summit will focus on one of the suggested topic areas outlined above, or on a topic selected by the Association side of the bargaining table. These sessions are designed to replicate real bargaining environments and provide practical, hands-on experience in a structured learning setting.
Participants should also be prepared for Employer-side proposals introduced during the simulated sessions. These may include issues such as overtime, service pay, casual sick banks, mandatory retirement, flex firefighters, and merit-based promotions.
As part of your preparation, participants are encouraged to consider how these proposals may be presented in practice, the rationale an Employer may use to support their position, and how you would respond at the bargaining table. Approaching the simulations from both perspectives will enhance the learning experience and strengthen overall bargaining readiness.
The Bargaining Summit is designed to be interactive, collaborative, and grounded in real-world bargaining scenarios. Preparation ensures that discussions remain practical, relevant, and directly applicable to your Local’s upcoming negotiations.
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By arriving prepared, you help create a stronger learning environment for all participants and maximize the value of the Summit for yourself, your committee, and your members.
Preparing in advance will help ensure a productive, engaging, and practical Bargaining Summit experience.