Transcript AHS/GSS Membership Bargaining Update

AHS/GSS Membership Bargaining
Update
February and March 2015
Presentation Overview
• History of Bargaining (2011 and 2014)
• Government Spending in Health CareSustainable (Revenue or Spending Problem)
• Our Commitment to Members
• Your Options to Consider
• Our Recommendation and Next Steps
History of Bargaining 2011 and 2014
• 2010- Bill 27 puts all bargaining units into a
common provincial structure, GSS is probably
most harmed by this action.
• As of July 2014, approximately 1,200 members
remain red circled due to transition bargaining
issues.
• December 2011, after nine months of
bargaining and mediation, Mediator
recommends a three year deal of 2%, 2%, 2%.
History Continued…
• January of 2012, members reject the report, due
to the improving Alberta Economy, by a 95%
rejection vote.
• Mediation restarts and AHS offers 0%, 0%, 2%
and a Cost of Living Adjustment.
• February 16, 2012, members take action and
withdraw services to AHS.
• Mediation/ Arbitration process is set up to settle
the dispute. In April of 2012 members ratify a
deal of 3%, 3%, 3% and other monetary
improvements.
History Continued
• April 2014, bargaining for a new collective
agreement starts again.
• April 2014 GOA settles with AUPE for 6.75%
over four years (includes other monetary
adjustments)
• July 2014 AHS settles with UNA for 7.25% over
four years (includes lump sums and benefit
improvements)
History Continued
• AUPE asks for AHS monetary proposals on
October 7th, no proposals provided, AUPE files
first Bargaining in Bad Faith complaint.
• HSAA received a monetary offer in mid November
of 1%, 1%, 1%, settles in late November for 1%
($1,000 lump sum), 1.25% ($1,000 lump sum),
and 2% over three years.
• AUPE GSS received a similar opening proposal in
late November of 1%,1%,1% over three years,
plus a market adjustment for Pharmacy
Assistances.
History Continued…
• January 19, 2015, AHS removes ingoing
monetary offer, and offers 0%, 0%, 0% over
three years, no market adjustment.
• AUPE discovers through a disclosure request
that although there is supposedly no
recruitment difficulties, over 250 Temporary
Foreign Workers are being used by AHS to fill
positions.
Government Spending (A Revenue or
Spending Problem)
• Albertans presently enjoy the lowest taxes in
Canada, the tax advantage is estimated to be
worth 11.6 Billion dollars per year over the
next most competitive province
• Over the last two years Government operating
expenses have been below the combined rate
of inflation and population growth (only 3% a
year) (Source Alberta’s Fiscal Challenge-A
Primer for Discussion)
Government Spending …
• In 2013, private sector wages average weekly
earnings were 26% higher than rest of
Canada, In public sector wages were 12%
higher than the rest of Canada. (Source
Alberta’s Fiscal Challenge-A Primer for
Discussion).
• A number of GSS occupations are significantly
below private sector wages in Alberta. Modest
wage increases are required for
competitiveness and service delivery stability.
Our Commitment to Members
• Upon bargaining breaking down, we
committed to go out to members and seek
your input into our next steps.
• So far we have filed for Interest Arbitration
and filed our second “bargaining in bad faith”
complaint against AHS.
Your Options to Consider
• On January 31, 2015, the Supreme Court of
Canada affirmed the right to strike as an
essential and protected constitutional right.
• AUPE believes that the right to strike will be
extended to all public sector and health care
bargaining in the next twelve months
(essential services will be narrowly applied).
• Currently we are reviewing how this decision
will affect your bargaining.
Your Options
• Continue with Interest Arbitration (leave
application with Government)
• Begin to mobilize members and the public
• If AHS resolves the bargaining in bad faith
complaint, offer to recommence bargaining.
• Consideration of a legal strike application might
be considered in the future if a deal can not be
reached through negotiations, and once the
processes has been appropriately settled with the
Government of Alberta.
Our Recommendation
• Do not consider a “Wildcat strike” given your
new legal right to strike.
• Mobilizing campaigns for members and a
communications campaign for the public is
essential.
• If we can resolve the Labour Board Complaint,
we recommend the recommencement of
mediation.
Next Steps…
• Based on feedback we will set dates and local
plans for the campaigns.
• Questions: