The revival of the Bargaining Conference after several years was a great success. From September 9 to 11, 2025, bargaining team members from the Core Federal Public Service and selected agencies took part in an informative and collaborative training experience. The conference provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of the bargaining process and strengthen solidarity across groups.

Participants engaged in a dynamic program featuring presentations, interactive panel discussions on real-world experiences, and hands-on activities aimed at building practical bargaining skills. In a post-event survey, nearly 62% of participants rated the training as “Excellent,” highlighting the interactive panels, real-life bargaining simulations, and collaborative learning atmosphere as key strengths.

One participant noted that the training “brought the bargaining process to life,” while another shared that it “built confidence and connection among groups that don’t often work together.”

These results confirm that the conference not only met its learning goals but also reinforced a strong sense of solidarity and readiness across the Institute’s bargaining teams.

Katherine Kenny, one of the negotiators who helped organize the event, reflected on its success:

“I am so pleased that this training achieved our pedagogical goals, but also that members from different groups were able to connect, share their experiences, and support one another.”

She added:

“Although this project began in our department, it was the combined knowledge and talent of teams and individuals across the Institute that made this unique training possible. It truly showed our bargaining team members that the entire Institute stands behind them when they get to the table.”

While this session focused on the Core Public Administration groups, the Negotiations Team is exploring similar sessions for other groups in the near future. The training modules developed for this conference will serve as a lasting resource for future learning and development across the Institute.

The return of the Bargaining Conference underscores the Institute’s ongoing commitment to supporting members and equipping bargaining teams with the tools and confidence needed to negotiate the best possible agreements on their behalf.