The bargaining team met with the employer November 18-22, for our second meeting.
This month’s meetings focused on classification, the current sick leave provisions, and the provision of online training.
We had planned to discuss the Health Authority, Respectful Workplace changes and the new independent investigation process. However, Yukon Government (YG) did not provide us with the information we requested. This means we’re pushing these items to a future meeting.
Our next set of bargaining dates are scheduled for the week of December 9-13.
The Union team made three classification proposals in November based on discussions at the bargaining table:
- The first proposal under Article 29 addresses classification request and appeal process, eliminate chokepoints, and allows for representation if requested, as well as timelines for each step.
- The second proposal is to commence a joint labour management review of classification benchmarks. Benchmarks are key to the assessment of a job and how a job is rated. Benchmarks have not been updated in over fifteen years.
- Lastly, the Union team is proposing that YG provide online classification training and make it available to all employees. We are looking for training that will simplify the classification system for all members.
We are awaiting YG’s response to our tabled proposals.
If you have any questions, please email: YGbargaining@psac-afpc.com
Bolded words are new proposals
ARTICLE 29 – STATEMENT OF DUTIES CLASSIFICATION AND RECLASSIFICATION
29.01 Within one month of receiving an employee’s written request, the Employer shall provide the employee with a current statement containing the duties and responsibilities including factor point rating assigned to the position they occupy.
29.02 Should the Employer create a new position; the Public Service Commission shall provide a job description and inform the Union within twenty (20) calendar days of the classification and rate of pay assigned.
29.03 (a) In the event an employee believes there is a substantial change to the duties and responsibilities of their position and that the position is no longer appropriately classified, the employee in the affected position may submit a written request for a classification review to the Public Service Commission.
(b) The employee’s written request pursuant to paragraph (a) above must specify the reasons and/or change in duties as to why the employee considers the affected position as no longer being appropriately classified. The employee may elect to have a union representative present for any meetings related to the request.
(c) The Department responsible for the position in question will provide the Public Service Commission a copy of the current job description within twenty-one (21) calendar days of the Public Service Commission receiving the initial employee request.
(d) The Public Service Commission referred to in paragraph (a) above shall provide a written decision to the employee within ninety (90) calendar days of receipt of the employee’s written request under paragraph (a) above. This deadline may only be extended by mutual agreement.
(e) Where the affected employee is dissatisfied with the classification review decision under paragraph (d) above, the employee may within twenty (20) working days give written notice of appeal, pursuant to their rights under the Public Service Act. This deadline may be extended by mutual agreement.
(f) In the event the position is reclassified, such reclassification will be retroactive to the date of the classification review request and Article 17.07 will apply.
NEW
Letter of Understanding Between the Government of Yukon and the Public Service Alliance of Canada with Respect to Classification Benchmark Review
This letter of Understanding is to give effect to the agreement reached between the Employer and the Public Service Alliance of Canada in respect of employees in the bargaining unit.
Notwithstanding that classification is an exclusive Employer authority as recognized in the Public Service Act, and there is a current classification plan in place (Willis Plan), the parties agree to establish a joint Evaluation Committee to review and update the benchmark positions or create new benchmark positions as applicable. Any consequential changes to the pay lines would be updated in the subsequent Collective Agreement.
NEW
Letter of Understanding Between the Government of Yukon and the Public Service Alliance of Canada with Respect to Classification Training
The parties agree there is a mutual benefit to be derived from the provision of training pertaining to the classification system.
To that end, the Employer agrees to develop and implement an online Classification training course within six months of the ratification of this Collective Agreement. This online classification training will be a core offering made available to all employees.
Prior to the implementation of the online course, the final draft of the course will be reviewed by the Union and Employer at a Joint Union Management Committee.
In solidarity with your bargaining team,
Amie Angel
Laurel Cole
Rosa Barraco
Tammi Johnson
Ian MacDonald
Erik Miller
Matt Murphy
Ted Klassen
Erna Post