Kensington Village GSS members ratify mediator’s recommendations for first collective agreement
EDMONTON – Alberta Union of Provincial Employees members employed in support roles at Shepherd’s Care Kensington Village ratified their first collective agreement on Feb. 26, 2010, based on a mediator’s recommended terms of settlement.
“The bargaining committee believed the mediator’s recommendations were fair and reasonable, and according to the vote, the members on the worksite agreed,” said AUPE Staff Negotiator John Wevers.
“It was a tough round of bargaining, but the bargaining committee reached an agreement with strong language that enhances the rights and benefits for our members working at Kensington Village and delivers fair wage improvements in the context of today’s economy,” Wevers said.
Significant benefits in the new agreement include articles prohibiting discrimination and harassment in the workplace, paid professional development days for employees with designations under the Health Professions Act, and paid days for trade certification or journeyman status under the Apprenticeship and Trades Act and Regulations.
The new agreement also includes a 2.5-per-cent increase retroactive to Jan. 15, 2010, another 2.5-per-cent increase effective April 1, 2010, and the addition of Step 7 to the salary grid (a three-per-cent increase for over 50% of the members), effective July 2010. Improvements were also obtained for hours of work, overtime pay, shift differentials, weekend premiums and more.
Other monetary benefits include ratification bonuses of $250 to regular employees on or before the date of certification and $150 bonuses to all employees within 30 days of written notice of ratification.
The one-year agreement expires on Sept. 30, 2010.
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