Bargaining Committee for Rural GSS staff respond to ‘inadequate’ monetary package
EDMONTON – AUPE Local 056 and 057 Bargaining Committee members have rejected a monetary offer tabled by their employer last week as unacceptable.
“The monetary offer doesn’t address the financial needs of our membership or the important contribution they make to the Alberta health system,” said AUPE Staff Negotiator Malcolm McNaughton, who leads the bargaining team for the approximately 5,000 General Support Services members employed by four different health regions: Aspen, Peace Country, David Thompson and East Central.
“It’s important for the employer to note that inadequate financial offers do little but aggravate negotiations and upset our members,” he added.
The GSS employees are also concerned by the slow pace of bargaining, McNaughton said. “It is time for the employer to act responsibly and table a monetary package in recognition of these employees’ valuable contribution to quality health care in Alberta.”
The employers have offered pay increases of 4 per cent in each of the first two years of the agreement, followed by wage increases tied to Alberta’s average weekly earnings. The offer did not include improvements for market adjustments, shift premiums, vacation, or health benefits other health care employees have achieved.
“Our members are playing catch-up after serious inflation over the past three years outstripped their wages and this offer does nothing to correct that situation,” McNaughton said.
The Local 056 and 057 bargaining committee has scheduled additional bargaining dates with the employer from June 10 to 12 and June 24 to 26.
“The committee is still hopeful that it will be able to discuss a rational monetary proposal on the remaining meeting dates with the employer,” said McNaughton.
The status of the remaining articles is outlined below:
Art. 1 Term of Agreement – open
Art. 2 Definitions – signed off
Art. 3 Union Recognition – signed off
Art. 4 Application – signed off
Art. 5 Dues Deduction – signed off
Art. 6 Management Rights – signed off
Art. 7 No Discrimination – signed off
Art. 8 Staff Development and Meetings – signed off
Art. 9 Probationary Period – signed off
Art. 10 Seniority – signed off
Art. 11 Performance Appraisals – signed off
Art. 12 Job Postings, Transfers and Promotions – signed off
Art. 13 Job Classifications – open; Union has proposed language to allow access to the grievance procedure
Art. 14 Hours of Work – signed off
Art. 15 Overtime – open
Art. 16 Salaries – open
Art. 17 Recognition of Previous Experience – signed off
Art. 18 Pyramiding – signed off
Art. 19 Shift Differential – open; Union proposes $2.75/hour for majority of shift (15:00 to 23:00) and $5.00/hour for majority of shift (23:00 to 07:00)
Art. 20 Weekend Premium – open; Union proposes $3.00/hour
Art. 22 On-Call Duty/Call-Back – open; Union proposes on-call increases to $3.30/hour for scheduled days of work and $4.50/hour for days off and Named Holidays
Art. 23 Casual and Temporary Employees – open
Art. 24 Transportation – open; Union proposes increase to $0.48/km, to increase if Government rates increase
Art. 25 Named Holidays – open; Union proposes addition of Easter Monday
Art. 26 Vacations – open; Union proposes improvements to vacation entitlements.
Art. 27 Employee Benefits Plan – open; Union proposes improvements to Health Care Plans
Art. 28 Sick Leave – signed off
Art. 29 Worker’s Compensation – open
Art. 30 Leave of Absence – open; Union proposes increase to five days bereavement and three days travel; Union proposes four family leave days with no loss of earnings
Art. 32 Pension Plan – open; Union proposes 2% LAPP (pension) enhancement, post-retirement benefits and retirement allowance
Art. 33 Layoff and Recall – agreed in principle to clarify displacement process
Art. 34 Discipline and Dismissal – signed off
Art. 35 Occupational Health and Safety – signed off
Art. 36 Grievance Procedure – signed off
Art. 37 Union Stewards – signed off
Art. 38 EMAC – signed off
Art. 39 Uniforms – open; Union proposes $125.00 for required safety footwear
Art. 40 Resignation – signed off
Art. 41 Job Description – signed off
New Article – EI Premium Reductions – signed off
New LOU – Education Bursaries and Return Service – signed off
New LOU – Mutual Agreement to Adjust FTEs – signed off
Union has tabled additional positions on the following:
LOU re: AB Health Care Insurance – Language to end employee deductions on Jan. 1, 2009
LOU re: Severance – Union proposes to amend language to 52 weeks as a result of any organizational change
LOU re: Prepaid Health Benefits
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Local 056 & 057 Bargaining Committee Contacts
Local 056 members:
Jim Colter
Peace Country Health
QE ll Hospital
780-402-4404
jrcolter@telus.net
Bev Hargrove
Aspen RHA
Cold Lake Health Centre
780-594-0164
Lois Skarsen
Aspen RHA
CHS Cold Lake
780-639-2196
Local 057 members:
Gina Hoffman
David Thompson Health Region
Centennial Centre
403-783-5712
tkg1844@hotmail.com
Barney Craig
David Thompson Health Region
Red Deer Regional Hospital
403-352-4429
bccraig5@telus.net
Reg Hilts
David Thompson Health Region
Drayton Valley Hospital
780-542-3937
rhilts@telus.net
Malcolm McNaughton
AUPE Staff Negotiator
1-800-232-7284 EXT: 3352
m.mcnaughton@aupe.org