Local 047/027 gains significant wage improvements
EDMONTON – General Support Services and Auxiliary Nursing Care staff at Shepherd’s Care Foundation – Ottewell have unanimously ratified their first agreement with the employer as members of Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Local 047/027. The agreement is for a 15-month term ending Dec. 15, 2008.
“The members can be thankful for their Bargaining Committee,” said AUPE Staff Negotiator, John Wevers.
“They knew what they wanted and went in and got it.”
The agreement includes wage increases as large as 28 per cent, applied retroactively to the Oct. 4, 2007 certification date. All employee classifications and increment steps will receive an additional 4.75% increase effective July 1, 2008.
Also created in the agreement is a new “Super-Cook” classification with higher rates commensurate with the responsibilities of cooks that are assigned supervising duties. The Bargaining Committee also negotiated a $250 recruitment incentive, $600 retention incentive, and $1,000 benefit to be paid upon closure of the facility, in addition to severance.
“The employer is starting to realize that they need to be the best employer on the block. They recognize that to be competitive in the health care industry you need rates of pay and total compensation above and beyond your competitors,” said Wevers.
“This agreement helps them move towards the goal of becoming the employer of choice.”
Auxiliary Nursing Care Rates
Health Care Aide
Old maximum rate (step 4) $15.37
New maximum rate (step 5) $16.91
Licensed Practical Nurse
Old maximum rate (step 5) $20.90
New maximum rate (step 7) $25.85
General Support Staff Rates
Unit Clerk/Receptionist
Old maximum rate (step 4) $15.09
New maximum rate (step 6) $16.90
Cook [certified]
Old maximum rate (no steps) $17.85
New maximum rate (step 6) $22.78
General Support Services Rates
Cook [uncertified]
New maximum rate (step 6) $21.35
Super-Cook [certified]
Maximum rate (step 7)
$27.24
Super-Cook [uncertified]
Maximum rate (step 7) $25.20
Dietary/Aide
Housekeeping Aide
Old maximum rate $12.83
New maximum rate (step 7) $16.23
All bargaining unit members will be assessed individually to determine their placement on the new grid.
In addition to the pay adjustments mentioned above, all members will receive a 4.75% increase effective July 1, 2008.
Articles of note
14 Shift Differerntial (1445-0700)
Ratification $1.50
April 1, 2008 $1.75
Aug 1, 2008 $2.00
15 Weekend premium
Ratification $1.50
Arpil 1, 2008 $1.75
19 Benefits
Dental plan based on 2007 Fee Guide
$250 Flexible Health Benefit Spending Account
23 Pension and RRSP
LAPP – Full-time employees
RRSP – 3% employer contribution
27 Layoff Recall & Severance
Severance range from 2 to 16 weeks
32 Acting Assignment Pay
6% temporary assignment pay
33 Employer Social Fund Contribution
$1,000 Employer contribtion to Fund
34 Professional Fees
$150 reimbursement
35 Preceptor Pay
Additional $0.65/hour
36 Transportation Allowance
$0.43/kilometer reimbursement
Letter of understanding – Retention
$600 within 30 days of ratification
$1,000 upon date of closure in addition to severance
Letter of understanding – Incentives
$250 recruitment incentive
$25 Safeway gift card at Christmas
Scholarship program
Bargaining Committee:
Crestita Lagos
Ravica Laus
AUPE Staff Negotiator:
John Wevers