The Civil Service bargaining committee has received many questions from members about the tentative agreement. To help clarify some of the questions being brought up, the negotiators thought it would be helpful to create a list of frequently asked questions and post them here on mgeu.ca.
However, if you don’t see a question you have answered here, feel free to contact the bargaining committee through the MGEU Resource Centre or be sure to attend one of the ratification meetings this week in your area.
What is the Long Service step?
The Long Service step is an additional pay step of 2% which would be added to the top of each salary scale for employees who have achieved twenty years of service and who have been at the top step of their scale for at least twelve months.
For many years, and many rounds of negotiations, members have sought recognition for long service with the government. Numerous proposals of this kind were brought forward during this round of negotiations.
Almost half of our members will be eligible for the long service step when it comes into effect in 2012. Thereafter, with each passing year, more and more members will achieve the long service step.
Who is eligible for a Special Wage Adjustment?
Numerous proposals for Special Wage Adjustments were brought forward by different groups of members this round. Each and every group that put forward a proposal will be able to make a presentation for consideration. Presentations will be scheduled over a six-month period, within one month of ratification.
Approximately 1% of payroll will be set aside for Special Wage Adjustments. This represents approximately $6.7 million. Adjustments will be determined and allocated on the basis of factors such as recruitment and retention patterns, wage inversions, compressions, etc.
If you are wondering whether a proposal was put forward for your classification, please view the list of submitted special wage adjustments, organized by Component and Job Classification.
Why is this a four-year deal?
In this uncertain political climate, the union felt it was in the best interests of the membership to secure a no lay-off clause and wage increases as far into the future as possible.
Why did it take nine months to bargain this deal?
One major reason it took a long time to bargain this deal is that we took hundreds of proposals to the bargaining table on behalf of the membership. We spent a considerable amount of time reviewing and clarifying each proposal with the employer and we then argued and debated their merits. The employer also tabled a number of proposals for review and discussion.
During the final months of bargaining, we met day after day and did our utmost to press for improvements in an effort to get the best deal possible. We concluded only when the Government refused to move any further.
Why did the bargaining committee recommend this tentative agreement?
The committee recommended this agreement because, given the economic and political climate, we believe this offer to be the best we can achieve at this time. Simply put, we believe that we got all there was to get at the bargaining table; and that to go to arbitration, or to reject the deal and take job action, would yield less for the membership.
What happens if I vote “no”?
If the tentative agreement is not ratified by the membership, the union will notify the employer and request that the parties return to the bargaining table. If the employer agrees, and a revised offer is made, the union will bring this back to the membership for a vote. In the event that the employer refuses to return to the table, the union will conduct a strike vote.