Independent arbitrator awards 1% raise to GOA members
AUPE members employed by the Government of Alberta (GOA) will get a pay raise of 1% for 2019 after a ruling from an independent arbitrator.
“We have said all along that our members deserved a raise after enduring a two-year wage freeze,” says AUPE President Guy Smith. “We are convinced these hard-working members in government services deserve more than one per cent, but we recognize that the decision made by the independent arbitrator is binding.”
Your employer will pay you the difference between your current wage and the increased wage retroactive to April 1, 2019. This will come as a lump-sum payment.
“This modest wage increase is small consolation for AUPE members who have spent many long years being kicked around by politicians of all stripes. While this increase is welcomed, it does not keep up with the rising costs of living, which we will be fighting for in the next round of negotiations that are already about to start.”
Independent arbitrator rules on Correctional Peace Officers Level 3
As part of the arbitrator’s decision, AUPE was disappointed that there was not a separate wage increase to Level 3 Correctional Peace Officers (CPOs) working in correctional facilities.
“These officers do dangerous and difficult work, that is directly comparable to the work done by Sheriffs and Sheriff Sergeants. They are both employed by the government and operate under the same collective agreement, but the CPOs are paid about 15 per cent less.”
Keep up the fight – bargaining begins again soon
These same AUPE members are already about to enter negotiations for our next collective agreements with a UCP government that has attacked working Albertans since day one.
“AUPE members expect good-faith, respectful negotiations no matter the employer, but this government’s track record suggests this is not what we’re in for,” says Smith.
“Members are preparing to do whatever it takes to support their negotiating teams when bargaining begins, including direct action and, as a last resort, strikes.”.
Government Services Bargaining Committee
Rebecca Leblanc, Local 001, leblare@gmail.com
Andrea Waywanko, Local 002, waywaa@hotmail.com
Dax Lydiard, Local 003, 003bargaining@gmail.com
Steve Eagles, Local 004, s-eagles@shaw.ca
Randy Ramsden, Local 005, r.a.ramsden@hotmail.com
Donna Smith, Local 006, xsmith@telus.net
Angela Pala, Local 009, rossieyork@shaw.ca
Ken Podulsky (GSBC Vice-chair) , Local 012, pudley68@telus.net
AUPE Resource Staff
Dale Perry, negotiations spokesperson, d.perry@aupe.org
Merryn Edwards, negotiations spokesperson, m.edwards@aupe.org
Farris Sobhani, organizer, f.sobhani@aupe.org
Madelaine Sommers, organizer, m.sommers@aupe.org
Terry Inigo-Jones, communications, t.inigo-jones@aupe.org