Essential Services

The provincial government uses their Essential Services Legislation to limit our ability to strike and our rights during a strike or lockout. It’s complicated legislation, as is the process of negotiating an Essential Services Agreement, or ESA.

Put simply, an ESA lists those services that in a time of strike or lockout are needed to protect the life, personal safety or health of the public, or necessary to the maintenance and administration of the rule of law or public security.

When ESA negotiations come up at your worksite, or if they have already started, it’s important for you to get involved and participate in the consultations. The input you provide us is our most critical resource. Without it, we’re forced to rely on the information the employer provides to us and that would lead to weaker agreements and longer rounds of negotiation.

The best way to become part of the ESA conversation is to contact our Member Resource Centre at 1-800-232-7284 and ask them to direct you to an ESA officer. You can also contact your Membership Services Officer (MSO) and ask them to get an ESA officer to contact you.

• Bring your job description or send it to the Essential Services Officer--if you have it
• Review the "Information about Essential Services" portion of this page
• Bring a list of the total number of staff in your department/unit, including all classifications and whether there are any vacancies (working short)
• If you are working short--think of what continues and how you prioritize tasks

If you would like to participate in a consultation for your Essential Services Agreement or would like more information regarding Essential Services, please fill out the form below.