University of Lethbridge employees ratify new collective agreement
LETHBRIDGE – AUPE general support workers employed by the University of Lethbridge ratified a three-year collective agreement Thursday, Dec. 18, after resolving a number of disputed issues through mediation.
Bargaining for the employees, represented by Alberta Union of Provincial Employees Local 053, began in July. Their new collective agreement expires June 30, 2011.
“This was a long, hard-fought round of bargaining, but we’ve won a fair settlement in the context of other recent settlements in this sector and widespread economic challenges,” said AUPE Staff Negotiator Dale Perry.
The new agreement includes across-the-board salary increases of 4 per cent retroactive to July 1, 2008; 1 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2009; 4 per cent effective July 1, 2009; 1 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2010; and an increase of 3 per cent or the percentage change in the Alberta Average Weekly Earnings formula from 2008 to 2009, whichever is greater, effective July 1, 2010.
Additionally, salary range adjustments effective July 1, 2008 increased minimum and maximum pay levels in each pay grade.
Minimum and maximum pay levels will again increase by 4.5 per cent effective July 1, 2009, and by 3 per cent or the percentage change in Alberta Average Weekly Earnings formula between 2008 and 2009, whichever is greater, effective July 1, 2010.
Two important letters of understanding were also retained, prohibiting bargaining unit work from being performed by non-bargaining unit employees and contracting out of non-bargaining unit work.
Articles covering health spending accounts, overtime shift premiums, long-term disability, group life insurance, dental fee schedules, and university courses were also improved.
“The quality of this agreement speaks to the strength of our membership. Their strong backing allowed us to reach a fair settlement and retain important protections in this agreement,” said Perry.
Approximately 470 University of Lethbridge employees are represented by AUPE Local 053.
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For more information:
Dale Perry, AUPE Staff Negotiator, 780-930-3347 (office), 780-238-8697 (cellular)
David Climenhaga, AUPE Director of Communications, 780-930-3311 (office), 780-717-2943 (cellular)