Isn’t it ironic? This is the one wage rate in our entire bargaining unit that is properly evaluated. That came about as a result of an arbitration award.

Property Assessor 3s grieved they were incorrectly paid, and in the mid 90s, after hearing evidence and data from across the country, an arbitrator set our rates.

If other rates in our bargaining unit are out of line, they should be compared with the PA3 rate, and adjusted accordingly. Instead, OPAC wants to take the one rate that we know is right, and hold it back.

So why does the union oppose lump sum payments? Isn’t a dollar a dollar, no matter how we get it?

Not really.

When the dollar is on your pay rate, it is there when you bargain the next time. To keep the numbers simple, if you earn $1,000 and get a 2 per cent increase, you earn $1,020. If you get a 2 per cent lump sum, you earn $1,000 and you get an extra $20. What’s the difference?

Next year, when you go to bargain, you don’t have the extra $20 in your base pay. If you want to keep it, you have to bargain it all over again.

Another difference is in your pension. If you are earning $1,020, your pension is based on that rate. If the $20 is a lump sum, it isn’t part of your pension calculations.

A lump sum payment is a one-shot deal. Inflation continues, and retirement is your future.