CUPE 1698 Last Offer Vote FAQ
November 2025
- What is a “last offer vote”?
A last offer vote is a process under the BC Labour Relations Code where an employer can force the Labour Relations Board (LRB) to conduct a vote of the union membership on the employer’s final offer.
- Who gets to vote?
All CUPE 1698 members covered by the collective agreement can vote.
- How will the vote take place?
The Labour Relations Board (LRB) organizes and oversees the vote. It is conducted by secret ballot, meaning no one will know how any individual votes. The outcome is decided by a simple majority (50% + 1) of the votes cast.
We will inform you as soon as we have information about when, where, and how the vote will be conducted.
- What happens if members vote NO?
If a majority of members vote NO, bargaining can continue. Mediation through the LRB is already underway, and the mediator has confirmed they will continue working both sides to help reach a fair, negotiated settlement.
A strong NO vote shows the employer you support your bargaining committee and want us to keep pushing for improvements to our wages, benefits, and working conditions.
- What happens if members vote YES?
If a majority of members vote YES, the employer’s final offer becomes the new collective agreement. Bargaining ends, and we lose the opportunity to keep negotiating for a better deal.
- Why is your bargaining committee recommending a NO vote?
The employer’s offer fails to address key priorities members identified, including:
- Fair and reasonable wage increases
- Improved dental coverage and mental health benefits
- Improved vacation leave in an employee’s earliest years of service
- Timely improvements for casual employees
Bargaining is meant to be a collaborative process, with both sides working together to find fair solutions. By calling a last offer vote instead of continuing to negotiate, the employer is trying to push through what they believe is fair.
Voting NO tells the employer members expect a better deal and that we want to reach it through meaningful negotiation—not a take-it-or-leave-it vote.
- Can the employer call another last offer vote later?
No. Under the Labour Relations Code, an employer can request only one last offer vote per round of bargaining. That means this is the only last offer vote they can call until this contract is settled, and a future round of bargaining begins.
- Will this lead to a strike or a lockout?
A NO vote on the last offer does not mean a strike or a lockout. Voting NO on the employer’s last offer simply means members want bargaining to continue. Right now, we’re focused on getting back to the table with the help of a mediator to reach a fair deal.
If anything changes, your bargaining committee will ensure that everyone understands what’s happening and has as much notice as possible before any next steps are taken.
- Where can members get more information?
We want everyone to have the information they need before casting their ballot. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your bargaining committee at laurie.dyck1698@gmail.com or use our contact us form on our website General Contact – CUPE 1698.
We will also be hosting another information session on November 5 at 6pm. Please check your personal email inbox for zoom details or use the contact us form to let us know if you’re missing the link: General Contact – CUPE 1698.