October 4, 2023 – The Society of United Professionals reports that it and Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority have reached a settlement to renew their collective agreement, ending the strike that commenced September 20.

The positions of ESA employees represented by the Society range from product safety specialists and engineers to communications, IT technicians, analysts, and technical advisors.

Those employees voted yesterday to ratify the agreement, ending the two-week strike. The new contract takes effect immediately.

“Our electrical safety professionals stood strong for a fair contract, and their collective resolve made all the difference,” said Robert Mitchell, Society ESA Local vice-president. “I am very proud of their determination and hard work.”

The Society of United Professionals is Local 160 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, and is affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress, Ontario Federation of Labour, and other local labour councils.

Its members can also be found in organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, Hydro One, Bruce Power, Independent Electricity System Operator, Toronto Hydro, and Ontario Energy Board.

As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of electrical contractors and master electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety.