Your negotiating team made good progress with the employer this week. We have settled our non-monetary demands and will now address our monetary proposals, including wage increases.
There is still a huge gap between our monetary demands and the Government’s position.
Monetary positions
The government offered us a four-year deal with raises of 2%, 2%, 1.75% and 1.75%. That is nowhere near enough. It works out to an average increase of 1.88% per year. We need much more to keep up with the sky-high cost of living.
We proposed a three-year deal with wage raises of 13%, 6.5% and 6.5%. We are also proposing Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to protect us from falling further behind inflation.
Presentations from your Local bargaining teams
Members of your Local negotiating teams met separately with the employer to discuss issues relating to each Local.
They met on the following dates:
- Local 003 - April 9.
- Local 006 - April 10.
- Local 012 - April 18.
- Local 005 - April 19.
- Local 009 - April 29.
- Local 001 - April 30.
- Local 002 - May 7.
- Local 004 - May 7.
The employer responded to our Local-specific demands on May 8 and June 3. We will include their formal responses in a future bargaining update on the main monetary package.
Our past 10 meetings have focused on the demands made by your Locals. Your Local bargaining teams have done an excellent job presenting and debating their proposals.
Urgent bargaining town halls
AUPE’s Time for Action bargaining town halls are happening throughout June and all members are invited. Please visit the town hall website for details on the town hall nearest you.
You will also receive email invitations, shareable posters, and timely reminders to ensure everyone has the chance to attend. All AUPE members are encouraged to join these urgent town halls.
At some point, we could reach an impasse with the employer. At that time, it may become necessary to take a strike vote to show our determination, our strength and our solidarity.
We must be ready to fight to get a fair collective agreement, one that gives us what we deserve. The best way to achieve that is to have a strong strike vote that gives your negotiating team the mandate and the power to push the employer.
Most collective bargaining agreements are settled without going on strike. Often, the threat of strike, backed by a strong strike vote, is enough to get the deal we need.
Next bargaining meetings – wear red!
Our next monetary discussions will take place on June 27 and July 10 & 11.
Wear red on these days to show your solidarity! Take selfies of you and your coworkers wearing red, then send them to photos@aupe.org to be shared on AUPE’s social media.
If you have questions, please reach out to a member of your negotiating team.
- Read GSBC bargaining update #1 here.
- Read GSBC bargaining update #2 here.
- Read GSBC bargaining update #3 here.
- Read GSBC bargaining update #4 here.
GOA Government Services Bargaining Committee (GSBC):
Local 001
Kathleen Buss, GSBC Representative
quilterbuss@gmail.com
Local 002
Lorraine Ellis, GSBC Representative
ellisl1950@shaw.ca
Local 003
Dax Lydiard, GSBC Representative
003bargaining@gmail.com
Local 004
Bowman Pringle
bowman.pringle@gmail.com
Local 005
Jeffrey Bleach, GSBC Representative
Bargaininglocal005@aupe.ca
Local 006
Rob Poggemiller, GSBC Representative
poggrobe@hotmail.com
Local 009
Russell Clark, GSBC Representative
russell.clark@shaw.ca
Local 012
Richard Hansen, GSBC Representative
chairlocal012@aupe.ca
AUPE NEGOTIATOR
James Mitchell, Negotiator
j.mitchell@aupe.org