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A triumph for all administrative professionals, union says.
Halifax (27 Sept. 2010) - The Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) is hailing a ruling by a classification tribunal that it says could have broad impact on the provincial public sector.
The union says it has convinced the province's Civil Service Classification Appeal Tribunal that a group of 15 department of natural resources (DNR) financial clerks deserve a higher classification.
The resulting decision "could mean more respect — and a more appropriate paycheque — for all kinds of administrative professionals," it says.
Before the decision, the 15 workers had been called field unit accounting clerks and had been classified as Clerk IIIs, which means they worked on moderately complex assignments.
The Public Service Commission — which sets the classifications for all Civil Service workers — argued throughout the three days of hearings that the 15 workers should remain Clerk IIIs.
NSGEU argued that the enhanced duties of the clerks within the provincial SAP Payroll system amounted to "modifying work processes or assisting in the development of new methods." This is one of the characteristics of a Clerk IV classification.
"We also argued that the new work broadened their leadership responsibilities, since they now have to offer mentoring to other staff on areas within their expertise, another characteristic of a Clerk IV."
As well, the union contended that the skills used in interpreting the civil service collective agreement for payroll and leave matters was significant and that the computer programs and financial tools regularly used by the group had grown in complexity over the years, bringing an additional dimension to their work.
The Tribunal accepted these arguments and ruled that the workers be classified as Clerk IVs. They recommended that their title be changed to Area Administrator Coordinators.
"For these 15 workers, the decision will mean an eventual pay increase of $5,000 a year. No less important will be the increased respect and acknowledgment they’ll receive for the work they do," NSGEU says. "It was a long struggle and involved good team work between union staff and the leaders within the membership."
As a result, the union says, all NSGEU administrative professionals should review their jobs and classifications.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE