Public Service Bargaining: Frequently Asked Questions #1

The following are some commonly asked questions and answers about the tentative public service agreement. 

How many years is the agreement? When does it expire?

The agreement is for two years. It expires March 31, 2012.

Is there a wage increase?

No. Although we proposed three percent in each of the two years we were unsuccessful in obtaining a wage increase. The government made it clear that because of the large provincial deficit that there would be no wage increase for anyone in government. They also said that any improvement in benefits or other provisions of the agreement would have to be paid for by finding the funds within the agreement.

What does "employment security" in the new agreement mean?

This is a key victory for the union. The new employment security language will ensure that all regular members will at the very least receive a reasonable offer of alternative employment in the public service. Without the new language, some of them would have been looking at layoff notices before being given any other options. The union has negotiated employment security provisions - Article 13 and Memorandum of Understanding #1. These provisions provide a number of important rights: guarantees that impacted members will receive a reasonable offer of other employment. During the informal first stage, the employee is considered for placement opportunities in their own ministry. This process takes up to 90 days. If no placement occurs in the first phase, the Joint Workforce Adjustment Steering Committee looks for opportunities across all ministries, in all areas of the province.

The government says they are going to cut 3,500 jobs over the next four years. Where are the jobs being cut? How can they do this?

The government has the right, under legislation, to determine the number of employees they need to provide government services; this also gives them the right to cut jobs. The jobs being cut will be across all ministries. Anyone who gets a redundancy or layoff notice is entitled to the procedure outlined above under the employment security provisions of the agreement.

What benefits were improved?

The committee made a decision to improve extended health benefits. To do this we had to find the funds to pay for them so we agreed to an increase in the annual deductible from $65 to $80 and obtained improvements for hearing aids, paramedical benefits and an increase from $100,000 to $250,000 for the lifetime maximum on extended heath benefits. Massage therapy will be capped at $750 per person, per annum.

In addition, employees will now be able to use up to a maximum of two days paid leave at any one time for family illness in case of illness or hospitalization of the employee's spouse or adult dependent children.

A new process to address bullying in the workforce was negotiated.

Other key changes include, auxiliary employees are now eligible for weekly indemnity upon the accumulation of 400 hours without the restriction of accumulating the hours in the same ministry.

What was cut in order to improve the benefits?

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, we have agreed to reduce the numbers of printed agreements in light of the increased use of the internet. Members without access to computers at work will still be mailed a printed agreement.

When will members get to vote on the tentative agreement?

Information meetings are being held around the province during the week of April 12. The vote will be conducted by stewards at your worksite. You can vote at your worksite or the Area Office. Ballots must be in to the union office by 5 p.m. April 29. The vote will be counted and the result announced on April 30.