Bargaining can continue within mandate

CUPE 882 started job action on Monday September 11, 2023 with a full withdrawal of services impacting positions in recreation facilities and City Hall. A recent meeting on the evening of Thursday September 7 provided the union and management an opportunity to clarify a number of issues and help understanding for both parties about where the opportunities lie to settle this agreement.

“We have always been willing to go back to the table provided the discussions remained within the 11.5% mandate that has been set and as long as the mandate is directed toward salaries and wages, not premium pay for select workers and more vacation for permanent employees. These items do not assist with cost of living, recruitment or retention which are our priorities,” said Kiley Bear, Director of Corporate Services.

 “As it stands, their latest proposal continues to prioritize vacation and premium pay. We considered it carefully but we are further apart then they are willing to admit.”

The costing for the latest union proposal includes 12% for general wages, increases to vacation, increases to additional duty pay, benefit adjustments for eye glass coverage as well as adjustments for casual employees. The total costing remains in the range of 14%.

“We have been upfront about what we have to work with and we are willing to discuss with them options around how we might prioritize the 11.5%,” added Bear. “If they can get there, we can get there.”

The union has recently communicated that they have written to the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety to request him to appoint a special mediator to resolve the dispute between CUPE 882 and the City of Prince Albert. “We’ve already been through the mediation/conciliation process,” said Bear. “We cannot consider a proposal that comes at more cost to the taxpayer, but we can discuss priorities within the 11.5%. We do not require a mediator to have that discussion.”

There remains limited impact to services at City facilities. For ongoing updates, please check back at https://www.citypa.ca/en/living-in-our-community/strike-update.aspx