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
Delete references to Alberta Health Care
Article 15 – Position Abolishment
Amend to include seniority language
Amend to include seniority language
Article 18/18A – Shift Differential & Weekend Premium
Increase to $2.25/hour
Increase to $2.25/hour
Article 25 – Correctional Institution Salary Allowance
Delete Supplement I
Delete Supplement I
Article 33A – Long Term Disability
Remove LTDI cap
Remove LTDI cap
Article 34 – Health Benefit Plans
Separate LOU on new Health Spending Account
Separate LOU on new Health Spending Account
Article 43 – Safety & Health
Change safety program name
Change safety program name
Article 47 – Term and Effective Date
Expires March 31, 2013
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.
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.
