IUOE Bargaining: Final Offer Ready to Vote
Jul 20, 2022
The 401 IUOE bargaining committee concluded meetings with the employer last week and finally has a contract ready to vote.
With much consultation from the IOUE 955 members, the committee and the employer worked hard to update the job classifications to reflect what members do more accurately in their day-to-day work life. Amongst other benefits, these descriptions will clarify how to achieve a promotion.
The 401 bargaining team also achieved modest increases in wages that reflect approximately what others in this industry have achieved in recent contracts.
Also achieved was recognition for another General Holiday: Truth and Reconciliation Day, which though recognized as a federal holiday, has not been recognized provincially. Many employers have not recognized this day, preferring to wait until such a time that the province recognizes it, and we are very proud to see this proposal ahead of the curve in this regard.
The proposed contract is a four-year term from the date of expiry with increases in years 2022 of 2% retroactive to Jan 1, 2022, 2% in 2023 and 3% in 2024. There is no increase offered for the first year (2021).
If accepted, this contract would expire at the end of 2024; thus, in 2.5 years, the members would be back in negotiations.
As this is the employer’s final offer, if the proposed contract does not satisfy the membership’s needs and a majority votes to reject this offer, the bargaining team would apply for a government-appointed mediator to be assigned to assist in getting a contract resolution. This process would take some time due to conflicting summer schedules and mediators booking a couple of months in advance.
For a copy of the settlement offer and information on the union dues structure changes, please click HERE.
There will be a virtual meeting on Sunday, Jul 24, and an in-person meeting at 6 pm on Monday, Jul 25, 2022, followed by in-person and online voting.
Online Q&A Meeting
When: Sunday, July 24, starting at 6:30 pm
Q&A Meeting and In-person Voting
When: Monday, July 25, starting from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Edmonton UFCW Local 401 Office: 14040 – 128 Ave, Edmonton
In-Person Voting: 7:30 pm
You can also vote online for members who cannot or do not wish to vote in person.
Online Voting
Date: Monday, July 25
Times: from 7:30 pm to 11:59 pm
You will receive an email to the email address your union has on file. Please let David Smith know if you need to update this information by sending him your correct/preferred email at: dsmith@ufcw401.ab.ca
This online voting will be conducted by a company called Converso. They ensure a secure and independent voting process. You will be given a secure code that is individualized just for you. The online voting platform will use a tracking system to ensure that voting credentials are only used once. Your vote will not be shared with anyone – your vote is 100% confidential. Your union will be cross-referencing in-person and online voting lists to ensure that each member only has the opportunity to vote once, so the integrity of the voting process is maintained.
There will also be a support service available through Converso to assist members who have issues with online voting. Converso will send out comprehensive information about online voting to the email address we have on file for you.
Converso recommends that, where possible, you avoid using a Hotmail email address for this process, as Hotmail sometimes automatically blocks the emails you need to receive.
Please ensure we have your correct email as soon as possible.
The question on the ballot will be:
Yes – I accept the company’s offer
No – I reject the company offer and authorize the union to take the step toward a strike
If the membership rejects the company’s offer, we will be in a legal strike position shortly thereafter.
Please make sure you vote. Don’t let others decide for you!
For a printable version of this document, click HERE.
In solidarity,
Your bargaining committee:
Dallas Sulieman, Simone Robinson, Emily Charo, Saba Mossagizi, David B. Smith
Posted on: July 20,2022