This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
Bargaining environment was more challenging due to the restraints on free collective bargaining, which was not occurring at the table.
Regina (4 July 2013) - The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE) Regional Colleges Bargaining Unit signed a new collective agreement covering September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2016.
Ratification votes held late May and early June
Ratification vote meetings were held from May 21– June 6 in different locations throughout Saskatchewan and 85% voted in favour of ratifying the contract.
Wage increases for members
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has a general wage increase of 2% on September 1, 2012; 1.5% on September 1, 2013; 1.75% on September 1, 2014; and 1.75 % on September 1, 2015 as well as a one-time wage increase for instructors.
Range 1 instructors will receive an increase of 8.12%; Range 2 will receive an additional increase of 5.4%; Range 3 instructors will receive an additional increase of 2.98%; and Range 4 instructors will receive an additional wage increase of 1.1%.
Please note that Northlands College also reached an agreement. The Colleges bargain non-monetary items separately but come together at the table for monetary bargaining items. As such, they received the same increases detailed above and were also able to negotiate an increase to their Northern Allowance to be phased in over the term of the CBA.
Difficult round of bargaining
According to both Negotiating Committees, the bargaining environment was more than challenging due to the restraints on free collective bargaining, which was not occurring at the table. The Regional Colleges have highly-skilled staff who are committed to the concept of a quality public education in Saskatchewan, but are finding it difficult to recruit and retain skilled professionals with the current compensation being offered.
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