Professionals Making A Difference
The SMS Bargaining Committee started negotiations with St. Margaret’s School on April 29th. There are five days set in May (12, 13, 19, 20, and 26) and seven in June (2, 3, 15, 16, 22, 23, and 24) for further negotiations.
The PEA presented a package of proposals reflecting the priorities outlined in our second bargaining bulletin. We believe that our package of proposals was reasonable, pragmatic, and responsible. The School asked some questions and finally thanked the bargaining committee for a well considered package. The School is not going to present proposals of its own, as has been consistent with their past practice. Both Parties spoke of their interest in continuing to build on improved relations.
We are expecting the School to respond with more detailed feedback when we resume bargaining on May 12.
Your committee believes that it is in the interests of our members and the School to ensure that terms and conditions of employment, including wages, benefits, and leave entitlements, keep the School reasonably competitive in the labour market. As noted in the attachment of the previous bargaining bulletin, SMS wages and benefits are significantly and increasingly falling behind those in the public school system. The parties have agreed that compensation matters (e.g. wages and benefits) will be negotiated after collective agreement language proposals have been bargained.
The members of your bargaining committee are finalizing details of a membership meeting tentatively scheduled on June 3, between 3PM and 4PM, to provide an update on bargaining. A confirmation will be published and circulated to members shortly. In the interim, feel free to contact members of the committee should you have questions or comments, however, we ask members to understand the committee is not in a position to share all of the details of bargaining. This reflects the dynamic and sensitive nature of the collective bargaining process, where matters can change quickly and where ultimately, you, as our members, will have the final say on whether the package of proposed changes will be acceptable.
The SMS Bargaining Committee will continue to keep you informed with regular bulletins throughout the bargaining process.
SMS Bargaining Committee:
- Sonny Wilson
- Ross Alden
- Nan Lefebure
- Anita Mivromichalis
- Scott McCannell, PEA Labour Relations Officer
