Hello Everyone,
While we previously hoped to be able to agree on a mediator and begin mediation by late fall, mediator availability has pushed our timeline back. We are now looking at scheduling mediation sessions for early next year.
In the meantime, the bargaining team has met to review membership priorities and has begun the work to fine tune and finalize our submissions for the mediator. We will be ready to go once dates are locked in and we’ll let you know as soon as we have confirmed dates.
Some of the key outstanding items that we are far apart on include:
Monetary Items
- Northern Allowance status quo and rejection of Union proposals for improvements
- General wage increases that are less than inflation
- Leave – no improvements and an inadequate response on the Union’s emergency leave proposal
Other Items
- Enhancing health care worker retention through general improvements and scheduling flexibility
- Improving the antiquated Job Classification system
We still expect to be following up with members at local meetings this fall.
Remember, until further notice, all the terms and conditions of your current collective agreement remain in place.
If you are interested in supporting your bargaining team and want to learn more about how to help, please contact a member of the bargaining team, their names are listed below.
In Solidarity,
YOUR BARGAINING TEAM
Marie Buchanan
Cee Birch
Jabin Carrasco
Andrew Gregory
Jeff Groenewegen
Tamara Holliday
Cassandra Gagnier (HRHSSA)
Barbara McKay (HRHSSA)
Gayla Thunstrom, UNW President
Erna Post, PSAC Negotiator
Ted Klassen, PSAC Research Officer
Chris Parsons, UNW Director of Membership Services
Caitlin Lacey, Political Assistant to the UNW President