AUPE presses government for clear monetary proposal
EDMONTON – Bargaining representatives from the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees continue to press the Government of Alberta to provide a clear monetary proposal in negotiations for a new collective agreement for approximately 21,000 direct employees of the provincial government.
AUPE placed its monetary proposal on the table on June 5, the day bargaining for a new Master Agreement and nine Subsidiary Agreements began. The AUPE opening proposal calls for pay increases of 24 per cent over the life of a three-year contract – 10 per cent in the first year, 7 per cent in the second year and 7 per cent in the third year.
The AUPE opening position also calls for numerous pay grade adjustments, specific market adjustments and contract changes to respond to other concerns.
“We stated our monetary proposals, but so far the employer has not responded,” said AUPE President Doug Knight, who is Chair of the union’s 10-member General Service Bargaining Committee (GSBC).
“In order to crystallize bargaining, we need clarity on all proposals, including the government’s monetary position,” Knight said.
However, after three weeks of meetings, the employer’s position continues to be only that the government bargaining team “is committed to discussing general salary increases and special adjustments during the course of collective bargaining.”
AUPE hopes that the government’s negotiators will bring a clear monetary proposal to the table in the next bargaining session, scheduled to take place July 9-13, Knight said.
“It is not acceptable for the employer to continue to be vague about monetary issues at this point in negotiations,” he explained. “The union insists that the employer’s bargaining representatives table their monetary package in order that bargaining may proceed in a productive fashion.”
The GSBC and government negotiators from the Personnel Administration Office (PAO) are meeting at AUPE headquarters in Edmonton.
During blocks of negotiating time June 6-8, June 18-22 and June 25-29, the two sides were able to sign off numerous contract articles that do not require changes.
AUPE goal remains pay increases of 10%, 7% and 7% over 3 years
As negotiations continue, AUPE’s goals in this round of bargaining for a new Master Agreement and nine Subsidiary Agreements for Locals 001 to 012 remain the same:
- 24% over 3 years
- 10% in the first year
- 7% in the second year
- 7% in the third year
- Pay grade adjustments to address specific market and other concerns
Formal bargaining has taken place on the following dates:
- June 6-8
- June 18-22
- June 25-29
More bargaining is scheduled to take place on the following dates:
- July 9-13
- July 16-20
- Aug. 7-10
- Aug. 20-24
A note on the bargaining process
The members of the GSBC were elected last year from the councils of the nine AUPE locals that represent direct employees of the provincial government.
The GSBC’s Chair is AUPE President Doug Knight.
The GSBC’s Vice-Chair, elected by other members of the committee, is Local 003 Representative Dianne Beaton.
Once an agreement has been reached between the GSBC and the employer’s bargaining representatives, members who are covered by the contract will have the opportunity to take part in a secret-ballot ratification vote.
Numerous non-monetary contract articles have been signed off
Numerous non-monetary articles of the Master Agreement and Subsidiary Agreements have been signed off in negotiations to date.
All articles agreed upon to date are in their current form.
MASTER AGREEMENT
Article 1 – Definitions
Article 2 – Terms of Employment
Article 3 – Master/Sub Agreements
Article 4 – Application
Article 5 – Management Recognition
Article 6 – Union Recognition
Article 7 – Legislation and the CBC
Article 8 – Union Membership & Dues Check-Off
Article 9 – Employer-Union Relations
Article 10 – Employer-Employee Relations
Article 11 – Time Off for Union Business
Article 12 – Layoff and Recall
Article 14 – Acting Incumbent
Article 18 – Shift Differential
Article 18A – Weekend Premium
Article 20 – Reporting Pay
Article 22 – Northern Allowance
Article 24 – Forest Fire Operations, Flood Control & Pollution Control
Article 25 – Correctional Institution Salary Allowance
Article 26 – Subsistence, Travel & Moving Expenses
Article 27 – Probationary Employee & Period
Article 28 – Disciplinary Action
Article 30 – Institutional Fire Prevention & Control
Article 32 – General Illness
Article 39 – Military Leave
Article 40 – Adoption/Parental Leave
Article 40A – Maternity Leave
Article 41 – Court Leave
Article 42 – Employment Insurance Premium Reduction
Article 44 – Parking
Article 45 – Rates of Pay
Article 46 – Leave Without Pay
Article 48 – Printing of Agreements
SUP I – Correctional Environmental Designations
SUP II – Institutional Fire Prevention & Control; Firefighters Schedule of Remuneration
ADD I – Education Programs
ADD II – Definition of Bargaining Unit
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 001
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 7 – Medical Examinations
Article 11 – Kananaskis Park
Article 12 – Employee Relations Committee
LOU – Work Schedules
LOU – Kananaskis Park
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 002
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 9 – Employee Relations Committee
Article 10 – Supplies & Equipment
LOU – EII Program Advisory Committee
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 003
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 7 – Medical Examinations
Article 9 – Court Time
Article 10 – Staff Camp Allowance
LOU – Wage Employees
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 004
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 8 – Tools
Article 9 – High Rigging Allowance
LOU – 12-Hour Shift
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 005
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 7 – Medical Examinations
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 006
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
LOU – Professional Fees
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 009
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 7 – Medical Examinations
LOU – Medication Administration
LOU – Employee Safety
LOU – EPC Term
LOU – Employee Relations Committee
LOU – Communicable Diseases
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 010
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
LOU – Professional Fees
SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT 012
Article 1 – Preamble
Article 2 – Effective Date
Article 3 – Probationary Period
Article 7 – Medical Examinations
Article 10 – High Rigging Allowance
LOU – Employee Relations Committee