Date: August 23, 2024
Greetings Sisters, Brothers, and Colleagues,
The Union completed our application to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (SLRB) for assistance in concluding a first collective agreement under The Saskatchewan Employment Act (the SEA) 6-25 (1).
The bargaining committee received notice on August 6th that Saskatchewan Labour Relations and Workplace Safety - Mediation Branch had appointed Kevin Eckert as the special mediator to provide assistance in reaching a first collective agreement.
While the Employer and the Union committee had tentatively set down the dates of August 20 and 21 to resume bargaining, the special mediator used those dates to start the mediation/negotiations process. Unfortunately, very little progress was made during the two days, with the Employer unwilling to budge on making a reasonable offer to substantially increase the wages, or to make any movement on the Union’s proposal to continue with date-of-hire seniority. These issues are, of course, the major proposals the membership is set on achieving.
The mediation/negotiation dates ended with the Bargaining Committee expressing a great deal of frustration at the Employer. The committee determined to hold membership meetings to present a Bargaining Update to the membership.
The membership meetings for the Bargaining Update will take place on September 10th in the Aspen Hall room at your workplace. There will be three meetings at 10AM, 2 PM and 6PM. Please watch your personal email, Facebook group and the Union Bulletin Board for posters and details. Please plan to attend and support your committee.
On behalf of the Committee, if you have questions about bargaining and mediation and next steps, 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. The MRC will ensure you get a quick response.
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)
