From Negotiations report August, 2006
On July 18, 2006, the members of the Saskatoon Co-operative Association voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting a new four-year Collective Agreement. Highlights include:
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Increases to the food classification wages of 2% in the first year, 2.5% in the second and third years, and 2.75% in the fourth year.
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Non-food sector classifications received increases of 2.5% in the first year, 3% in the second and third years, and 3.25% in the fourth year.
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Some classifications receive increases on the starting rates and early wage progression scales and then increase by the applicable percentage for the remainder of the contract. All increases are retroactive to the expiration of the previous contract, which was November 26, 2005.
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The Night Shift premium increases to 70˘ per hour (effective July 30, 2006) and to 75˘ per hour on November 23, 2008.
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The Night Shift Supervisor premium increases to 55˘ per hour (effective July 30, 2006) and to 65˘ per hour on November 23, 2008.
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The Sunday Shopping premium increases to 80˘ per hour (effective July 30, 2006).
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File Maintenance, Third Class Mechanics (Papers), and Journeyman Mechanic premiums increase to 40˘ per hour (effective July 30, 2006) and to 50˘ per hour on November 23, 2008.
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There were also increases to the pension plan, to the minimum call-in shift and various contract language improvements.
The Bargaining Committee consisted of Barb Logan, Roger Haatvedt, Nikki Wruck, Glenda Kurylyk, Craig Thebaud, and Dallas Munkholm, assisted by Collective Bargaining Representative Don Logan and Representative Darren Kurmey. Special Thanks to President Paul Meinema and Secretary Treasurer Norm Neault for assisting in the late hours on July 11 to help achieve this Agreement.
From Negotiations report May, 2006
Meetings are set for June 16, and July 10 & 11, 2006. A sticking point is still a two tiered wage schedule (lower pay rates for new employees doing exactly the same jobs as existing employees) that the company has proposed. The membership is exploring their options regarding this proposal.
From Negotiations report April, 2006
We have had several meetings with this employer and bargaining appears to be headed in a positive direction. The Co-operative has withdrawn most of its extensive rollback demands and this has helped the situation. Numerous improvements in contract language have been agreed upon, including the Co-operative’s agreement to have the minimum shift for part-time employees extended from the present three hours to four hours. Proposals on the monetary side have not been given much consideration by the Co-operative so far. The union tabled the balance of its position on monetary items at our last meeting in January. The Co-operative responded, requesting that a number of the classifications have lower top end pay rates for new hired employees. The union has rejected this concept.
Further meetings are set for April 28, May 2 and 5, 2006.
From Negotiations report January, 2006
We met with this employer on October 28 and exchanged proposals. Since then we have had several meetings with this employer and bargaining appears to be headed in a positive direction as the Co-operative has withdrawn most of its extensive roll-back demands. Numerous small improvements in contract language have been agreed upon; monetary proposals have not been given much consideration by the Co-operative so far.
Further meetings are set into January and early February.
