When employers recognize they have the resources to meet a community’s needs, and that spreading them more equally would serve workers, residents and their families alike, negotiations don’t have to be an uphill battle. Our experience in bargaining proved this.
We asked for multiple improvements to our working conditions and secured the majority of them. They include:
• Strong respect in the workplace language.
• A grievance procedure in line with other Park Place Seniors Living sites, so we can protect our new rights.
• Layoff, Recall and Severance language.
Other provisions in our new agreement will bring your compensation closer to what you’re worth and include:
• Salary increases of 1.5 per cent in year one, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019 (all hours paid at the basic rate of pay), and two per cent in year two.
• Shift and Weekend Premium increases of 50 cents.
• Paid Holidays - Part Time employees will now receive five per cent in lieu of statutory holidays.
Your bargaining team also secured the kinds of protections all workers should have that will allow us to take care of ourselves after hours and beyond our working days. These include a guaranteed Benefits Plan (featuring full Extended Health Benefits, Dental, Life Benefit coverage, Vision, and long-term disability coverage), Leaves of Absence in line with the updated Employment Standards Code, and an employer-matched (up to three per cent) RRSP.
Basic protections that ensure you can meet your needs, maintain a good work-life balance and help Edmonton’s seniors live more independent lives without putting anyone’s health at risk are not unreasonable. They’re necessary. Thank you for committing to each other’s needs; you are collectively and individually stronger because of it.
If you have any questions, please contact us:
BENEVOLENCE CARE CENTRE BARGAINING TEAM MEMBERS:
Verena Budzinski keith.verena@gmail.com or 780-850-5122
Gaillan Bronce gaillancynbronce@gmail.com or 780-249-8586
Yelva Beldorin yelva0716@yahoo.com or 587-520-6801
ALTERNATES:
Oriana MacKinlay-Fiertel ofiertel@gmail.com or 780-819-6031
Arsenio Maristela ogie_maristella@yahoo.com or 780-804-1245
AUPE RESOURCE STAFF:
Mac McNaughton Negotiator, m.mcnaughton@aupe.org
Jaime Urbina Organizer, j.urbina@aupe.org or 587-599-7557
Celia Shea Communications, c.shea@aupe.org or 780-720-8122