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.
PEIUPSE/NUPGE will raise the issue of MLA salary increases in its meeting with the Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission.
Charlottetown (04 April 2013) – Debbie Bovyer, President of the PEI Union of Public Sector Employees (PEIUPSE/NUPGE), says “the union was not informed about government’s move to tie MLA pay raises to civil service employee raises. I’m not sure I understand the province’s intention with this move beyond looking for a convenient way to deflect or avoid public scrutiny regarding MLA pay raises.”
President Bovyer continued, “Eliminating the Indemnities and Allowances Commission will not achieve the Premier’s stated aims. He claims that tying MLA pay increases to civil service increases will ensure MLA’s have no influence over their own pay increases. I think that was the job of the Indemnities and Allowances Commission and now it’s being abolished unnecessarily. Public debate about MLA pay increases has not been about the effectiveness of the Commission so much as it has been about whether the public wants MLA’s to accept pay increases recommended by the Commission.
“One might also argue that tying MLA pay increases to civil service employee raises provides MLA’s some measure of influence in determining their own increases. The executive branch of government has influence and decision making power at the bargaining table when it comes to negotiating civil service employee wages. The government can approve or not approve proposals put forward by the unions. Being aware that public service wage increases negotiated at the table will also be their own wage increases, creates a conflict of interest for government members,” explained President Bovyer.
PEIUPSE/NUPGE and a number of unions representing civil service employees are scheduled to meet with the Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission today to discuss the province’s financial situation in relation to upcoming bargaining. The issue of linking the MLA salary increase to negotiated settlements at the bargaining table will also be raised.
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