Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas to All and Your Families

Greetings Folk!
All the best in the New Year as well.
We finish this year off with allot of work your Council and Chapters have been doing!
We hope you all enjoyed the goodies and Cart coins handed out during this Holiday Season!
Update on LOU of 6 and 3:
In Chapter 5 (Red Deer/Michener Services), the MANAGEMENT engaged this letter and gave notice that our current rotation would no longer be as of Dec 31/11, and that they desire option A, with great debate it was established that neither party could impose either option as 'both parties must agree', therefore to ensure we had clear idea what our membership in Chapter 5 wanted we had an UNION vote on Dec 9/11, which the results were as follows;
325 members of 487 eligible cast votes (67%)
243 members cast votes for Option A (75% of cast ballots)
82 members cast votes for Option B (25 % of cast ballots)
With these results it was clear the majority was for Option A and so as of Jan1/12, we started the Option A as our roster for Chapter 5 (Michener Services).
Chapter 01 (Calgary/Graduated Supports) just had their vote on Wed and as their Management also initiated the LOU, here are their results of their Union vote:
Out of a possible 82 staff who were eligible to vote (those who would be effected by the change of the schedule directly) we had 34 voters (41%)
Out of the 34 votes cast 19 picked option A and 15 picked option B, again, due to the timing restraint for rostering, Option A in this area will commence Feb1/12.
At this point there has Management has not initiated the LOU in Chapter 02 (Edmonton), as they are waiting to see how the process would unfold.
I know that this doesn't satisfy everyone, but at least we gave the membership an opportunity to have some say.  
Just a reminder this was our Employer that initiated this not the Union, and that was top priority in negotiations for the Employer to have all 24hr work sites on a constant scheduling system ie LOU.  
Also for those that weren't in favor of Option A, please remember it was each members right to vote they way they chose to, and to belittle or scorn anyone on how they vote isn't very (shall we say nice), you had a right to vote the way you wanted to, please be respectful to everyone.  
In all the chapters are very pleased that members are taking an interest in what is happening with their contract.  And we (Local 009) have learned allot ie improving bargaining communication to the members ect...
In closing no matter what the out come, we believe we have a strong Local and have very committed Council and Chapter's members, working very hard for you!
Please have a Safe Holiday Season and all the Best in 2012

In Solidarity

Penny Bates - Local 009 -Chair
Tammy Zimmerman - Local 009 Vice Chair
Anita Lerch - Local 009 -Secretary
Russell Clark - Local 009 -Treasurer
Darrol Mason - Local 009 - P.E.
Ramona Price - Council - Chapter 01
Sue Rutledge - Council - Chapter 01
Michele Heide - Council (alt) - Chapter 01
Greg Sierko - Council - Chapter 02
Vanessa Tomchak - Council - Chapter 02
Tracy Levesque - Council - Chapter 02
Scott Hall - Council - Chapter 02
Pervis Fisher - Council (alt) - Chapter 02
Mike Nesbitt - Council - Chapter 05
Jenna Brueggeman - Council - Chapter 05
Jan Grant - Council (alt) - Chapter 05


 

Friday, December 09, 2011

Voting results

In today's vote on Option A and Option B the result was as follows:

 

325 members of 487 eligible cast votes (67%)

 

243 members cast votes for Option A (75% of cast ballots)

 

82 members cast votes for Option B (25 % of cast ballots)

 

Thank you to everyone who made it out to vote.

 

In Solidarity,

Dave Brzak

Friday, November 25, 2011

Vote on 6 & 3 December 9, 2011

AUPE will be conducting a vote December 9 on the 6 & 3 options as
outlined in the Letter of Understanding 6 & 3 Work Schedules in the
current Master Agreement.

The ballots will have 2 choices Option A and Option B.

Option A-----If Option A is chosen by highest number of cast votes it
would be implemented January 1 2012.

Option B ----Since Option B is not accepted by the Employer if it is
chosen by highest number of cast votes it would not be implemented.
Instead Subsidiary 009 Article 9.05/Subsidiary 010 Article 8.05
scheduling (commonly known as 8 & 7) may be implemented January 1,
2012. The AUPE would be notified of the members preference for Option
B. The matter would then be dealt with between the President of AUPE
and the Public Service Commissioner or their representatives.

Voter Eligibility-----Permanent and Temporary Salaried staff only
Home and Laundry staff only
in the following classifications:
Individual Support 1
Individual Support 2
Rehabilitation 1
Facility Supports

Eligible members may vote on Friday, December 9 , 2011
6:30 am to 4:30 pm

The vote will be conducted at the old Pay and Benefits Office
#14 20 Michener Road
(next to accounts)
Note:
Since this vote is being conducted by AUPE, members are required to
use their own time to vote (ie. off-duty or break)

Dave Brzak
Chapter 005 Chair
Local 009

Saturday, October 15, 2011

35th AUPE Convention Complete!

Hi Folks;
Another convention has come and gone and it was as always interesting.
Congratulations to our President Guy Smith, Secretary/Treasuer Bill Dechant,
Vp's Erez R, Sandra A, Glenn S, Jason H., Sandy K, Karen W (new).
We had our first electronic balloting which was so slick and quick.
We trudged through many reports, resolutions and honours!
I would like to thank
our Delegates
Ramona Price, Ella Kaluki, Jenna Brueggeman, Tammy Zimmerman, Anita Lerch, Russell Clark, Vanessa Tomchak, Greg Sierko, Scott Hall, Darrol Mason, Pervis Fisher, Penny Bates
Our Observers
Mike Nesbitt, Sue Rutledge, Tracy Levesque
All of these members took time out from their lives and work to attend and totally absorbed as much information they could and experienced convention culture.
Please don't be afraid to ask them questions about it!
They are Local 009 representatives (1 delegate per 100 members) and it is their responsibility to share information as well.
Till next time!
Penny Bates
Local 009 Chair

Friday, October 07, 2011

Fall is here and the beat goes on!

Greetings to all:
I hope that all of you had a wonderful summer, and now Fall has arrived.
And without missing a beat we are still working diligently on contract issues, work area issues and political/ministries changes.
Please keep up on changes in your area, read up on EMAC/ERC and OH&S minutes, click onto AUPE website.
Convention is coming up next week from Oct 13-15/11 in Edmonton at the Shaw Center, we will try our best to represent Local 009 and its membership!
Also Labor School applications need to be into your Chapter Chairs right away and then to me by convention! These applications can be printed off of the AUPE web site (right hand side).
For those in in Red Deer at Michener Services work site, we are having a chapter meeting on Oct 25/11 @ 5:30pm at the Curling Rink on Michener Services work site. Pizza will be available and guest Jim Petrie our negotiator will be there to answer questions about our change in work schedule and process, as the employer has given notice as of Oct 3/11 that they are giving notice to use the LOU (Letter of Understanding) pg 61 of the Master Agreement in regards to 6 & 3 rotation. This does affect the other Chapters and we will be informing you as this unfolds in your area.
So please keep informed, and keep warm.

In solidarity
Penny Bates
Local 009 Chair

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

LOCAL 009 AGM complete!

Hello everyone!

Folks we just completed our AGM for Local 009 and I am proud to say another successful term completed.  We have some new faces at council, dedicated returning council members and we have to also say goodbye to some council members as well.
The term is for 2 years and we have much work ahead of us!
All contacts will be updated asap.
And again its our pleasure to be able to assist the members of Local 009.

In Solidarity
Penny Bates
Local 009 Chair

Results of 2011 Local 009 AGM
Chair- Penny Bates - Council member - Chapter 005
Vice Chair - Tammy Zimmerman - Council member - Chapter 005
Treasurer - Russel Clark - Council member - Chapter 005
Secretary - Anita Lerch - Council member - Chapter 005
Provincial Executive Representative - Darrol Mason - Council member - Chapter 005
Ramona Price - Council member - Chapter 001
Sue Rutledge - Council member - Chapter 001
Greg Sierko - Council member - Chapter 002
Tracy Levesque - Council member - Chapter 002
Scott Hall - Council member - Chapter 002
Venessa Tomchak - Council member - Chapter 002
Mike Nesbitt - Council member - Chapter 005
Jenna Brueggeman - Council member - Chapter 005

P.S.
A big thanks to:
Mel Roy - Chapter 001
Pervis Fisher - Chapter 002
Jan Grant - Chapter 005
For all their hard work, you will be missed but not forgotten and our paths will still cross!



Saturday, May 14, 2011

AUPE government service members overwhelmingly endorse new contract


EDMONTON — Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees directly employed by the government of Alberta have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective agreement with the province.
“This agreement contains high-level commitment to jointly address ongoing workload issues and contracting-out concerns, monetary and benefit gains over the life of the agreement, plus significant improvements in the wording of many provisions,” AUPEPresident Guy Smith said this morning.
“The powerful endorsement it received by our members is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of the members of the AUPE bargaining committee in this very difficult round of negotiations,” Smith said.
Mail-in ballots counted at AUPE Headquarters in Edmonton this morning show that 83 per cent of the eligible union members who voted endorsed the tentative agreement that was reached by the union and the province on April 1. Voter turnout was high, with more than 60 per cent of the approximately 21,000 eligible voters casting ballots.
“Thanks to the bargaining committee’s hard work, and the strong support of our members throughout the negotiations, AUPE was able to bargain a fair agreement that was strongly accepted by members in all government-service locals despite the fact the government entered these negotiations demanding major concessions,” Smith said.
“Our job now is to immediately get to work to enforce this collective agreement including the new provisions we negotiated on dealing with workload issues, which were a priority for our members in bargaining,” Smith said.
The two-and-a-half-year agreement includes both meaningful pay increases and provisions that address many concerns AUPE members have had with their contract with the provincial government for more than three decades, he added.
The union’s 10-member General Services Bargaining Committee (GSBC), which represents all direct government employees who are members of the union, had recommended ratification of the agreement.
Key provisions in the agreement include:
  • A lump-sum payment of $1,750 to all current full-time government employees covered by the agreement 30 days from today, with pro-rated payments for part-time and wage employees.
  • A lump-sum payment of $1,250 to all current full-time government employees covered by the agreement in January 2012, with pro-rated payments for part-time and wage employees.
  • A 4-per-cent across-the-board pay increase on April 1, 2012.
  • A $750 annual health spending account effective April 1, 2012.
  • Increases in both shift differential and weekend premium pay from $1.75 to $2.25 per hour upon ratification of the agreement.
  • Improvements and enhancements to extended health benefits.
  • The historic inclusion of seniority provisions in contract language pertaining to position abolishment, for the first time in the history of collective bargaining between the Alberta government and AUPE.
  • Legal indemnification provisions for all government employees.
  • Creation of a high-level process to address ongoing workload and staffing level issues faced by the government workforce.
  • Establishment of a process for the continued review regarding the utilization by the employer of wage and temporary staff.
  • Removal of a cap on long-term disability insurance payments.
All members of AUPE Locals 001 to 012 had the opportunity to take part in the mail-in ratification vote, said AUPE Staff Negotiator Jim Petrie.
The agreement will run until March 31, 2013, he said.
30
For more information, contact:
Guy Smith, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-265-2294 (cell)
Jim Petrie, Union Representative, AUPE, 780-930-3335 or 780-399-8755 (cell)
David Climenhaga, Communications Director, AUPE, 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cell)
Photo: Members of AUPE’s General Service Bargaining Committee, the executive and staff work to count thousands of ballots at AUPEheadquarters in Edmonton. General service members employed by the Alberta government voted on the acceptance of a tentative agreement between the government and 21,000 AUPE members.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Ballots counted and success!

Greeting Everyone!

Well the stress is over for the GSBC team, they did an incredible job and got us the best TA that they could considering the what has been happening in Alberta.
Thank you to everyone who sent their ballots in and specifically to Local 009 members, we had over a 50% return for our Local and that a huge improvement since the last contract.
The TA will be formally signed by GOA and GSBC on the May 17th, I am sure there will be some details on when we receive the 1st lump sum of 1750.00.

Till next time, and if you are in Edmonton on May 30 and 31, Local 009 is having their AGM at AUPE Headquarter, everyone is welcome with voice but no vote.

Penny Bates
Local 009 Chair


Thursday, April 14, 2011

GSBC Town Hall Meeting re Tentative Agreement information

Hi Folks:
We had just over 100 members attend the GSBC Bargaining team Town Hall Meeting in Red Deer on April 12/11 at the Capri Center.







Jim D from Local 002 and part of the GSBC Bargaining team, explained
what the Tentative Agreement entailed and what the process was from the
start till agreement reached on March 31/11.  And also he expressed the
importance of the voting process and that all ballots need to be returned
by May 11/11, ballot counting will happen at HQ on May 12/11.



Cec C. from Local 003 and GSBC bargaining member, also helped in explaining
some of the language pertaining to members in Local 003.



And representing Local 009 Tammy Zimmerman, who did a fantastic job!



And our President Guy Smith, giving a history on what GSBC has being going
through and what action he took, to spark appropriate bargaining. 
Thank you Guy for doing that!



In all the GSBC is recommending that the GSBC members do vote in favor of the
presented Tentative Agreement.
This is your right to vote and I believe that showing a strong return with the ballots is also a strong
message to our employer that we are not complacent about our jobs or of the actions that GOA  
Don’t go unnoticed.
Please fill out your ballot properly and send back to HQ in self addressed and posted envelope
that has been sent to you!

Thanks for your time
Penny Bates
Local 009 Chair


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Important dates

Our Local's AGM's are approaching fast. Please try to get out to them and support YOUR union.

Red Deer- April 13/11 at North Hill Inn- contact Dave Brzak

Calgary- April 18/11 at Tony Romas, 131 Crowfoot Terrace Northwest, Calgary- Contact Ramona Price

Edmonton- April 20/11 at Teddy's, 11361 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton- Contact Dan Purcell

Your Vote matters!

Hello everyone!
Well as exciting as it is to have a T/A there is always some trepidation, and I guess that is the unknown of what it will be like with our employer in 2 1/2 years. Our bargaining team GSBC has been very diligent and has stood strong to get us the best contract they could during the challenging times of late.
Kudos to them and especially to Tammy Zimmerman our bargaining representative for Local 009. she has but in countless hours towards achieving a contract and has sacrificed several days off and time with her family.  Thanks again Tammy for all your hard work it doesn't go unnoticed. 
You will be receiving your ballots shortly in the mail it is imperative that you correctly fill it out and return it!!
No matter if you vote in favor or against the T/A the most important message to our employer is that we care and that we are concerned about our future.
So please the more votes received is more of a message then you can imagine!
Please take the time to vote it only takes seconds.
Also you have your chapter Annual General Meeting approaching shortly, please attend, this is your opportunity to meet you Local/Chapter representative and ask questions or maybe even let your name stand for some positions.
We will be asking for those that want to be a part of the fan out list! This list is crucial for us to continue on with mobilization and just to also have another communication network to get 'the messages out'. 
Thanks again for  your continued support!
Thanks to all of Council and Chapters for your hard work!
PLEASE VOTE!
Penny Bates 
Local 009 Chair
 
 

Monday, April 04, 2011

More Highlights of Tentative Agreement




EDMONTON – Despite a daunting environment of cutbacks, freezes and concessions, your Bargaining Committee (GSBC) has successfully negotiated a two and a half year tentative agreement with the Government of Alberta.
Challenges faced in this round of bargaining, the likes of which have not been seen since the horrendous days of the mid 1990s, appeared insurmountable at times. However, with the ongoing support of a well-informed and involved membership we have negotiated a collective agreement we can all be proud of.
This agreement contains high-level commitment to jointly address ongoing workload issues and contracting out concerns, plus important wording changes in key areas of the agreement, health benefit plan improvements, and significant monetary gains over the life of the agreement.

The GSBC is unanimously recommending that you vote in favour of accepting this agreement. As always, this final decision rests in your hands.
~ Guy Smith, President, AUPE
Highlights of changes to the Collective Agreement are as follows:
Article 12 – Lay-off & Recall
Delete references to Alberta Health Care
Article 15 – Position Abolishment
Amend to include seniority language
Article 18/18A – Shift Differential & Weekend Premium
Increase to $2.25/hour
Article 25 – Correctional Institution Salary Allowance
Delete Supplement I
Article 33A – Long Term Disability
Remove LTDI cap
Article 34 – Health Benefit Plans
Separate LOU on new Health Spending Account
Article 43 – Safety & Health
Change safety program name
Article 47 – Term and Effective Date
Expires March 31, 2013
NEW:
  • 6 & 3 shift provisions
  • Letter of Intent re legal expenses
  • Letter of Understanding re workload and staffing issues
  • Letter of Understanding re review of wage and temporary employees
  • Paid up life certificates discontinued for new employees as of March 31, 2012
  • Health Spending Account of $750.00 effective April 2012 that supplements your existing health benefits plan
  • Changes to schedules for classification names/multi grades (some)
  • Changes for bi-weekly pay
Lump-sum Payments/Grid Increases:
  • Lump-sum: March 31, 2011 – $1750 (paid as soon as possible after ratification)
  • Lump-sum: December 31, 2011 – $1250 (paid in January 2012) NOTE: Lump-sums are pro-rated for part-time/wage employees
  • Grid Increase: Four percent (4%) on grid effective April 1, 2012
The General Services Bargaining Committee recommends acceptance of this tentative agreement.
Ballot packages will be mailed out over the first week of April 2011 to member’s home addresses.
Voting Procedure:
Clearly mark the ballot and return the ballot in the self-addressed postage paid envelope contained in the ballot package.
Mark only one box on the ballot – DO NOT WRITE YOUR PERSONALCOMMENTS ON THE BALLOT. Ballots that are marked inappropriately will be deemed “spoiled” and will not be counted.
All ballots must be returned to AUPE Headquarters Edmonton in the provided self-addressed postage paid envelope by noon on May 11th, 2011 to be counted.
Ballots will be counted and the results released on May 12th, 2011.
The outcome will be determined by the majority (in favor or against) of all returned ballots.
Click here for a list of town hall meetings at which AUPE members can meet members of the GSBC and ask questions about the new agreement.