News

The Local’s bargaining team met with the Treasury Board for the second round of bargaining during the first week of December.

The Team was optimistic that the employer would be better able to clarify the issues they had brought to the table, especially those that they were unable to address during our first meeting. Several issues remain unexplored because the employer continues to wait for information from the departments.

We offered alternate wording to Art. 32, Sea Trials, with the intent of making the current language clearer and easier for management to follow. We made progress on several other articles and reached agreement on some.

The employer tabled their wage proposal and it mirrored what was presented to other bargaining agents. That being a 0.75% economic increase per year for four years with an implementation date of 365 days after the date of signing and no retroactive payments. According to the employer their mandate is to reach agreements that can be implemented within the confines of the Phoenix pay system, and that is the only reason for their position on retroactivity.

Retroactivity is not automatic and is negotiated as part of every total compensation package. The employer has signaled to the team that there may be flexibility in the leave provisions in lieu of retroactivity. Your bargaining team understands that most members would rather see an increase in wages, so we will work to see that retroactivity is factored into the annual pay increases if it cannot be negotiated outright.

We plan to meet with the employer again late and January 2019 and continue negotiating on your behalf.

In solidarity

Paul Cameron

Business Manager/Financial secretary