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The Factual
Report on Corrections Negotiations
Issue 4 - October 11, 2001
Klein opens wallet for Alberta public
service
Despite familiar tales of provincial
budget woes, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) reached
a tentative three-year agreement with Klein’s Tory government on
October 3.
The settlement will give provincial
employees:
· a five percent raise in the first
year
· a four per cent raise in the second year
· a salary re-opener in year three.
The salary re-opener allows the union
to negotiate another pay raise in the third year of the contract
without affecting any other provisions of the collective agreement.
AUPE members who work shifts also got a
substantial boost to their income. Shift premiums for evenings and
nights have been raised to $1.75 per hour from $0.75. Weekend shift
premium went up from $0.25 per hour to $1.75.
Another big factor in the tentative
agreement is movement on the pay grid. Unlike Ontario, Alberta has
seven different pay grids for correctional officers, and the employer
unilaterally places new employees on the grid based on education and
experience. It can take up to seven years to reach the top level of
pay. In the new agreement, most employees will move at least two steps
up on the grid.
In an exclusive interview, AUPE
corrections representative Earl Thompson said that he expects his
members to ratify the deal.
“Our members are very happy,”
Thompson said. “We just got new uniforms, and with the combination
of the pay raise, the shift premium and the grid movement our members
are looking at a wage increase of at least 15 per cent. This
government is showing a lot of respect for corrections. It will be
interesting to see what happens in Ontario.”
Interesting, indeed. On October 2,
2001, Harris said in a speech to the legislature, “…our society
and our economy are strong and resilient.” Let’s see if Ontario
has the same respect for the people who keep this province safe.
Little progress this week
Little progress has been made this week
in settling essential service issues. The Team continues to exchange
documents with the employer, and an arbitrator has now been assigned
to attempt to settle disputes as they arise.
More next week.
Two new features to watch for
The Correct View will
feature two new sections in upcoming issues. The first, Waste
Watchers, will highlight examples of waste in the Ministry of
Correctional Services at a time when employees are looking for a
decent contract. Members can participate by sending in examples of
waste that they are aware of. Waste examples must be verifiable, and
the names of those submitting examples will be kept confidential on
request. Those examples chosen for The Correct View will
receive a Lock Talk T-shirt. Send your submissions to the
Corrections Team by fax at (416) 815-1412 or by e-mail at correctionsteam@opseu.org.
The second feature, Inside
Negotiations, will give members a look into the mechanics of
the negotiation process. Explaining how things transpire at a
bargaining table will help members get a better feel for the process.
Watch for this soon.
Corrections team members
Region 1: Jack
Hopkins, L. 122
Region 2: Barry
Scanlon, L. 230 (chair)
Region 3: Larry
Cripps, L. 309
Region 4: Jim
Bothwell, L. 467
Region 5: Dave
Graves, L. 521 (vice-chair)
Region 6: Rick
Dagenais, L. 642
Region 7:
Len Mason, L. 737
You can reach the bargaining team at
(416) 815-0284 or by e-mail at correctionsteam@opseu.org.
The Correct View is your only accurate
source of Corrections Team information during this round of
bargaining. If you don’t read it here, you can't be sure it's true.
Don’t rely on gossip and rumours. We will provide the facts.
The Correct View will be
available by fax, by e-mail, and on the OPSEU web site at www.opseu.org
. To receive it directly, send your secure fax number to
Lesley Williams at (416) 443-1762 or send your e-mail address to lwilliams@opseu.org.
The Correct View is authorized for distribution by
Barry Scanlon, chair, Corrections team, and Leah Casselman,
president.
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