Transcript OAPSB SPRING CONFERENCE PANEL ON COORDINATED …

OAPSB LABOUR SEMINAR
OVERVIEW OF COORDINATED BARGAINING
NOV 21, 2014
Presentation by
Kevin Eccles & Terry Baxter
Setting the Context
 The Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OASPB)
approached government :

Disciplining the collective bargaining approach

Controlling the trend of escalating costs related to
collective bargaining outcomes
Wage Trends/Levels
 Police are one of the highest wage sectors in BPS
 Average Big 12 and OPP wage increases = 3.3% annually over
past 10 years
 Police wage outcomes follow sectoral pattern and remain
similar across the province
 July 25, 2014 to November 11, 2014: Public Sector: 1.2%
Municipalities: 1.7% Private Sector: 1.9%
Wage Growth in BPS since 2003
Average First Class Constable Salaries
by Province
Coordinated Bargaining Proposal
 A voluntary coordinated approach
 Full sector engagement including the OPP
 A “common front”
 Goal = disciplined bargaining
 Employers controlling the bargaining process and outcomes
Progress to Date
 68% of boards in support = 87% of police personnel
 November 5-6, 2013 Plenary = gave an overall mandate,
selected lead bargainers
 Expectation = set the new pattern and trend for arbitrators
 Coordinating Committee at work
Some Challenges
 Respect for the process and patience
 Existing 2015 settlements and potential impact (next
presentation)
 Autonomy has an enormous price, one the tax payer can’t
afford
 Reaction from OPPA/TPA/PAO (lead employers to address
later)
Some Final Thoughts
 We need EVERYONE at the coordination table Critical for
other boards to stand down from active bargaining on matters
of compensation
 A tough process; a deviation can undermine the process
 We ALL need this - Success is critical for a sustainable future
for policing in Ontario
 Arbitrators will replicate freely negotiated settlements
 We need to provide them with a settlement trend that ensures
sustainable policing
Questions/Comments