Date: April 12, 2024
Greetings Sisters, Brothers, and Colleagues,
When the Employer and the Union met to bargain on March 12th, 13th and 14th, 2024, a large chunk of outstanding language Articles were agreed upon. However, the Bargaining Committee thought that reaching an impasse in bargaining was very likely, based upon major differences in the yet-to-be-agreed-upon language.
The parties met on April 9th and 10th. The Union Bargaining Committee presented a comprehensive final and complete Collective Agreement to the Employer when we commenced. The comprehensive proposal package included all agreed-to Articles, language to conclude all outstanding Articles, and included all monetary Articles and a proposed wage grid. The Employer was notified this is the Union’s “Last Position”, although the committee would still be open to negotiating some of the outstanding non-monetary Articles during the April dates. At the end of the bargaining sessions, the Union notified the Employer it will be making an application to the Labour Relations Board (as described in Division 16 of the Saskatchewan Employment Act), requesting assistance to conclude the First Agreement between the parties. The application for assistance will be made following the scheduled April 15th Unit membership meetings.
The membership meeting(s) have been scheduled for Monday, April 15th at the Aspen Hall in the Stonebridge facility, with three starting times (1:00 pm, 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm). The meeting will include an updated Bargaining Report, a question and answer period and commencing a Strike Vote (via the electronic “Simply Voting” platform) starting at 7:30 PM on Monday night and closing at 7:00 AM Wednesday morning. The membership is being notified of the meeting via personal email, the use of posters in the facility and communication through a Facebook group. Information and instructions about how to vote electronically for the Strike Mandate vote will also be available.
On behalf of the Committee, if you have questions about bargaining and/or your collective agreement contact the Member Resource Centre (MRC) by phone at 1-888-999-7348 ext 2298, by email at [email protected], or by using the contact form at www.seiuwest.ca.
Your participation in your Union makes us all strong!
In Solidarity,
The SEIU-West Stonebridge Crossing Bargaining Committee
Christine Derkach (Unit Chair) • Nathalie Ahotoh (Unit Vice-Chair) • Ivy Krueger (Communicator) Staff: Tracy Goodheart (Union Representative) • Larry Buchinski (Southern Negotiations Officer) • Bob Laurie (Director, Contract Bargaining & Enforcement)
Click here for a printable version of this Bargaining Bulletin