Monday, March 6, 2023

Ratification and Bargaining Updates

Lacombe Foundation

Local 301 members employed by the Lacombe Foundation working at Lacombe Lodge and Eckville Manor House voted overwhelmingly in favour of a two-year collective agreement providing retroactive wage increases and a number of other improvements. The 80 members work as lodge attendants including dietary and laundry staff, cooks, maintenance staff, activity coordinators, and healthcare aides. The local has represented Lacombe Foundation employees since December 2010.

The new contract provides a 1% wage increase retroactive to January 2022, 1.5% for 2023, and a wage review for 2024. The agreement also provides clarification of term employees and the creation of a Collaborative Workforce Planning Committee, which will discuss strategies and initiatives for the purpose of workforce planning, recruitment, and retention. Clarification on shift exchanges, sick leave, and vacation time are also included in the settlement. Accruing sick time will now be tied to the number of hours staff members work, not just their full-time equivalency.

“Bargaining for this round of negotiations was prolonged and difficult,” says Juliann Mans, representative. “Our initial settlement reached in August with the employer was rejected by the membership, and the union bargaining committee went back to the table to secure further improvements. The new agreement was strongly supported by the membership, with 86 percent voting in favour.”

Bargaining Updates

Both the Entrust Adult Inc. and the Real Canadian Wholesale Club collective agreements are due to be renegotiated this year. Information and proposal surveys will be distributed in the upcoming months.

Ratification and Bargaining Updates

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