Bargaining 2008

DATE SET FOR RATIFICATION VOTE

October 2 has been set as the ratification vote for the CAAT-S agreement. Locations and times will be the same as for the strike vote.

SUPPORT STAFF REACH TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT

It's back to work on Tuesday. We will NOT be going on strike. A tentative settlement has been agreed upon. We will be voting on the settlement offer soon.

Download the Memorandum of Settlement here. [PDF file/Acrobat reader required.]

Read the Bargaining Team's breakdown of the deal here. [PDF file]

Here is a point form outline of the tentative settlement:
»	Three year deal
»	Wage increase of 3% first year, 3% second year, 3% final year
»	$425 Special Allowance introduced for anyone that has over 6 months service, paid the last cheque before December 1st this year, and then the last cheque before September 1st every year after
»	Special Allowance for those over 10 years service increase to $825 per year, paid on the last cheque before Sept.1. This year the extra $425 will be paid on the last cheque before December 1st.
»	On average the introduction and the increase of the special allowance works out to a .86% increase, add that with the percentage increase and that equals an average 3.86% increase in the first year. This increase is the highest increase that we have seen in pure wages (not using the wage grids) since 1990.
»	The Wages and Benefits Comparison letter is no longer in the offer.
»	The introduction of an Initiatives/Opportunities letter of Understanding, Fixed Term positions. The difference between the Fixed Term positions management wanted and what we agreed to is as follows: All of these positions must be brought to the Local before introduction, the College must tell us the rationale behind why such position is needed These positions cannot extend past 24 months unless extended by the Local These positions must be posted, and consideration must be given to internal applicants first (this provides for Professional development opportunities) An appendix D employee must fill any vacancy that has been created if a full time employee is the successful candidate Internal employees that have been selected for these positions will have the right to return back to their former position, once the term is over All employees under this will receive all rights and entitlements under the Collective Agreement except for bumping rights.
»	The introduction of Family Day
»	Increases to shift premiums
»	Increase in Dental coverage
»	Increase in Spousal and Dependent Insurance
»	Increase in Vision Care
»	Increase in Safety Footwear
»	Renewal of the Contracting out letter
»	A commitment to look at Tuition Re-imbursement policies across all Colleges
»	The introduction of historical Bullying/Psychological Harassment language (the first of it's kind in the public service in Ontario, and we believe it is the first of it's kind in the province.)

EMAIL ACCOUNT FOR ALL MEMBERS

OPSEU email accounts have been set up for all members. If you did not receive notification of your email »account, please contact info@opseu559.org

INFO PICKET A SUCCESS

An information picket was held at Progress from 7-8:30 am on August 28. Many cars stopped and spoke with the picketers, who were giving out information on why we might go on strike. Download a copy of the brochure we were handing out here.

UNOFFICIAL VOTE RESULTS

Total to REJECT the offer 79%
Total IN FAVOUR of strike action 69%

Download the complete provincial results here [PDF file]

The Bargaining Team says we should WORKSMART. Read about it here [PDF file]

The fact-finder's report in the negotiations between OPSEU representing the support staff of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and the College Compensation and Appointments Council under the Colleges Collective Bargaining Act becomes public as of July 21, 2008.

» CRC Fact Finder Report

» Appendix A - Agreed Upon Items

» Appendix B - Items in Dispute

Management's contract offer isn't good enough.

Read what the Team thinks of the offer.

News from the Bargaining Team
	Bargaining Bulletin #5	Issue Sheet 6— New funding for colleges
	Bargaining Bulletin #4	Issue Sheet 5 — Why isn't 3% good enough?
	Bargaining Bulletin #3	Issue Sheet 4 — What you told us
	Bargaining Bulletin #2	Issue Sheet 3 — Strike vote dates set
	Bargaining Bulletin #1	Issue Sheet 2 — Wages
		ssue Sheet 1 — Bullying at work
Note: Adobe Acrobat Required. Download it here.

BLACK/BLUE DAY

payroll black day photo
The Payroll Department is first to send in a photo of Black/Blue Day!
Click here for more photos of Black/Blue Day

Blue Day a Success

Centennial staff showed their support for the Bargaining Team by wearing blue on May 12.

Below are the winners of our BLUE DAY PHOTO CONTEST.
Each winner receives a $10 gift certificate from Tim Horton`s.

For more Blue Day Photos, click here.