GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
Apr 3, 2020
Posted in: Union
A new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between GDI and the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) was ratified on February 13, 2020. The CBA covers the period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2022.
This new agreement was a result of extensive negotiations that originally commenced March 23, 2017 with intermittent meetings occurring from that date until the final memorandum of understanding (MOA) was agreed to by both parties on November 26, 2019.
The final draft of this MOA was delivered to GDI on December 12, 2019 and was approved by the GDI Board of Governors on December 20, 2019. The next step in the ratification process was for all In-Scope GDI staff members to vote on the agreement. This vote occurred in conjunction with the GDI 40th Anniversary celebrations held February 7 and 8.
On February 13, 2020 GDI was notified the agreement had been ratified by all members. As a result, the new CBA agreement was implemented as soon as confirmation of member ratification had been received.
The updated CBA items had a direct effect on all GDI staff due to the commonalities between CBA and GDI Policy and Procedures. Outlined below is a summary of the substantive changes that affect GDI staff. This listing is not all encompassing but does include some of the major changes:
The most substantive issue that was covered through negotiations was related to monetary issues. In order to maintain a distinct separation between management and in-scope staff, the pay grid increases included in the CBA were applied to all GDI Salary Grids, both in-scope and out-of-scope. These increases were approved by the GDI Board at the December 2019 meeting and consisted of the following: 0% on April 1, 2016; 0% on April 1, 2017; and 1% increase on April 1, 2018. Further, there were increases of 2% on April 1, 2019; 2% on April 1, 2020; and 2% on April 1, 2021.
A Union Observer clause was added to the CBA where GDI agrees to provide the Union with notice of the time and place of assessment of applications and interviews for any position for which there are any internal applicants. Under this clause, the Union is entitled to have a representative present to function as an observer during these assessments or interviews.
A volunteer leave clause was added to the CBA where employees have the ability to apply to their supervisor requesting time off with pay of up to eight hours per fiscal year to volunteer with a community based organization.
Under the terms of the old CBA, GDI provided an “advance” of up to five sick days in the event an employee became ill and did not have sufficient sick accrual to cover these absences. Under the new CBA, that “advance” has been reduced from five days to two.
Under the new CBA GDI has agreed to the Union conducting a biennial (once every two years) of their members in regards to the performance of the Institute’s management staff. Upon completion of the survey, the union has agreed to share that information with the Institute.
In closing, the representatives of both the Institute and the Union worked in collaboration to ensure an agreement was provided that effectively balanced the cultural and financial needs of both the Institute and its staff. The Institute looks forward to continuing this partnership through to April 2022 into the next round of bargaining.
GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
