8/6/2019 CUPE 38 update, June 6
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ISSUE 2
NEGOTIATION UPDATEOfficial Publication of the Canadian Union of
Public Employees, Local 38
14399th Av. SE, Calgary, T2G 0T4, Phone (403)233-2700 Fax
(403)290-1757
[email protected] Website-www.cupe38.org
June 6 , 2011
Following our last update, we received a call from both the
Citys Negotiator and the Media-tor to inform us that the City has
increased its offer to 2% for 2011; 2.5% for 2012 and 3% for
2013.While this shows movement the Citys offer still remains well
below the broader Alberta public sec-tor and the Calgary labour
market. It still provides us less over the first 2 years than what
Counciltook for themselves this year.
To provide some context as to the settlements in Alberta,
Medicine Hat provided its electri-cal workers with a raise of 3%
for 2011 and 2012; The City of Lethbridge gave its employees a4.5%
increase for 2011 and there are many other citys such as Red Deer,
Brooks, and Canmorethat fall within this range. The regulated
utility sector, such as ATCO, AltaLink and TransAlta allhave
negotiated 3% increases for their employees this year and next. The
AltaLink agreement is a3 year agreement which provides a 4%
increase in 2013. In light of this, how does City Councilbelieve it
is reasonable to offer us less than half of what they have taken
for themselves?
Your Negotiating Committee tabled a proposed two (2) year
agreement with the City thatcalled for a 3% raise in both 2011 and
2012 that was subsequently rejected by the City. Your com-
mittee felt that this is a reasonable offer that also reflected
the Citys financial concerns. While thisoffer would place us at the
bottom end of the current market, the fact is it still puts us
within themarket. Since offer was only two (2) years in duration it
took the uncertainty of 2013 out of theequation. A three (3) year
agreement causes your committee significant concern since the
Calgarylabour market is positioned to take off (as reported by the
Provincial Government in both major pa-pers). The Alberta Minister
of Labour and economists are reporting the likelihood of a labour
short-age by next year and inflation potentially as high as 5%. It
is for these reasons that a third yearagreement ought to be above
3% as inflation is already at 3%.
Your Negotiating Committee needs your support in sending a clear
message to the
City that we deserve a fair and equitable wage increase in line
with the Calgary labour market andthe broader public sector. It is
only with a strong strike mandate that theCity will be forced to
make us a decent offer.
