Lancaster House’s Public Sector Bargaining Conference returns in person on Tuesday, December 7 at the Hilton Downtown, bringing together leading experts, union representatives, employer negotiators, and neutrals to examine the latest developments shaping collective bargaining in the public sector.

To deepen your learning, don’t miss the interactive Skills Training Workshop, taking place at the same venue on Wednesday December 9. This full-day session will allow attendees to work through realistic scenarios with guidance and analysis from experienced panelists, offering practical tools and strategic insights to help you respond to evolving bargaining demands.

The day will begin with a networking breakfast, giving attendees the chance to connect with colleagues and peers before diving into the program. Throughout the conference, you’ll have multiple opportunities to engage with others in the field—during refreshment breaks, over lunch, and between sessions—making this not only a learning opportunity but a valuable space to exchange ideas, compare experiences, and build professional relationships.

Panelists will include leading voices from union, management, and neutral perspectives, with moderated discussions and interactive Q&A sessions to encourage dialogue and deeper insight.

All attendees will also receive a comprehensive digital resource package, including case summaries, textbook chapters, and legal commentary compiled by Lancaster House’s legal research lawyers.

This conference is ideal for:

• Union Negotiators – Connect with other union leaders and hear from top voices on strategies at the table.

• Government Representatives and Human Resources (HR) Managers and Directors – Build bargaining approaches informed by the latest legal and economic developments while connecting with and hearing from union counterparts.

• Industrial Relations Specialists and Labour Lawyers/Consultants – Stay up to date on the latest developments impacting public sector bargaining and evolving collective agreement language on complex and emerging workplace issues.

By attending this conference, you will:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of federal and Ontario economic and fiscal outlooks and the implications for labour relations, and how this may impact public sector bargaining. 

• Learn how to translate these economic realities into bargaining strategies and understand and communicate how the statistics may impact approaches at the table.

• Keep informed on recent cases and legislative changes impacting bargaining, including the legality of government interventions in strike actions.

• Engage with leading experts through interactive Q+A periods, enhancing your professional practice.

• Network with peers across industries and across the table, building bridges and fostering collaborative approaches to bargaining challenges.