General Wage Increase Proposed for City Out of Scope Employees

Prince Albert City Council will consider a proposed general wage increase for the City’s Out of Scope (OOS) employees at a City Council meeting on Monday, August 21, 2023. The proposed increase of 11% over four years is the equivalent to the offer presently before the City’s CUPE 882 unionized employees, with amendments. It is proposed that the City’s Out of Scope employees receive 0% in 2022, saving the City approximately $80,000 in back pay for this year, and there will be no targeted wage adjustments. 

Since the CUPE offer includes a 2% adjustment on signing, the offer reduces over time. Approving a general wage increase for OOS staff will ensure that this workgroup is provided with the benefit of an immediate and predictable wage increase that is not bound to the delays that have inevitably occurred because of strike action. 

Recent analysis has also shown that while the proposed wage adjustments for in-scope employees put these positions in the 95th percentile (up from the 85th percentile currently) when compared to Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Provincial Government, Out of Scope salaries are currently at the 70th percentile and will be in the 78th percentile after adjustments.

“The Out of Scope employees will ultimately be relied upon to support the City through a strike to ensure services to the public are maintained,” said Kiley Bear, Director of Corporate Services. “Given this and the way Out of Scope wages have fallen behind compared to comparable employers, it is considered important to implement wage adjustments immediately.” 

The City has been prepared to offer CUPE and OOS employees a competitive wage offer to address inflation and to position the organization better to retain our current employees and hire quality new employees.

For updates and information on the CUPE strike, please visit www.citypa.ca/strikeupdate.

-30-

For more information, contact:
Kiley Bear
Director of Corporate Services
City of Prince Albert
306.953.4367