Date: June 19, 2023
Greetings Sisters, Brothers, and Colleagues,
Your SEIU-West bargaining committee met with the Employer on May 3rd, 2023. We gave them our wage proposal which included a wage grid. We showed the Employer data that showed the wages at West Park Crossing are low compared to other personal care homes. The Employer proposed a single wage pay scale which didn’t come close to our proposal.
The Union Bargaining Committee met with members on May 11th and received feedback regarding moving forward with collective bargaining; we then met with the Employer on May 24th, June 8th, and June 9th. The parties continued to narrow down outstanding proposals, but the parties remained far apart on wages. By the end of the day on June 9th, it became apparent that the Bargaining Committee needed to have another membership meeting, to report on bargaining and to now discuss possible job action.
The Bargaining Committee met with the membership on June 15th. The meeting was well attended and the direction from the membership meeting was to reject any employer offer that did not come close to their wage expectations.
The parties met on June 16th. The Union bargaining committee told the Employer that the membership firmly rejected the Employer’s wage proposal, and Employer indicated they were unwilling to add any more money. The parties agreed that an impasse has been reached. Your Bargaining Committee will be meeting with the membership on Tuesday, June 20th at 6:30 pm, to provide a bargaining update and provide information on next steps. At this time, we are planning to conduct a member vote on job action. We ask that you stay connected, come out to the membership meeting on the June 20th and be prepared to vote.
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 West Park Crossing Bargaining Committee
Selene Desjardins (Unit Chair) • Rubilyn Mercene • Staff: Lynette Pinfold (Union Representative) • Katelyn Thibeault (Union Representatve) • Larry Buchinski (Southern Negotiations Officer) • Bob Laurie (Director, Contract Bargaining & Enforcement)
Click here for a printable copy of this Bargaining Bulletin.