The City of Prince Albert's second worker representing outside workers is voting today on whether it too will go on strike. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Second strike at City Hall

City of P.A. prepares for second strike

Nov 9, 2023 | 12:58 PM

As the City of Prince Albert’s second union that represents outside workers votes today on whether it too will walk off the job, the city says many key positions are covered by essential worker legislation.

Negotiations with both unions have been ongoing for well over a year, and the city said it has a plan in place if more workers strike.

“We have already started planning for the potential outcome of a strike and we can assure residents that disruptions will be limited,” said Kiley Bear, director of corporate services for the City of Prince Albert. “Similar to CUPE 882, there are plans in place and we are committed to limiting impacts to any services not covered by essential services legislation.”

Garbage pick-up, mechanics, cemetery, snow removal and water and sewer services are all essential.

According to the city, the most recent CUPE 160 proposal involves a general wage increase of 22 per cent over the next four years and another eight per cent in “monetary asks” such as an additional three days of sick leave annually which would give workers 18 sick days.

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The city says that adds up to a 30 per cent increase over the next four years.

“CUPE 160’s bargaining team continues to put forward unreasonable monetary demands that are well beyond the realm of possibility. It is clear they are not motivated to find a resolve and keep their members at work,” Bear said.

The city is offering CUPE 160 the same 11 per cent it offered CUPE 882, the now-striking union that represents its inside workers.

It will also increase the starting wage of the lowest paid employees from $15.83 to $19.44 to help with recruitment and retention.

A shift differential increase was offered to water treatment plant employees so it would match that of other work groups. A similar change was offered to airport maintenance employees in the winter that would increase their pay from $27.68 to $28.29 and also create an airport supervisor position.

In return, the city says it is asking that workers give one of their current 15 sick days per year to a sick bank – a short-term disability program – with no cap on the sick bank.

They also want to make sure that employees that are on a sick day not be allowed to take an overtime shift for 24-hours unless the entire callback list has been gone through first.

Saturday and Sunday would be added to the standard hours of work for airport employees. The city has been working on added flights from the airport for some time.

The city is also willing to review temporary jobs that haven’t been laid off for three years running to see if they should become permanent. The person in the role at the time of review would be offered the job.

City bargainers are also disputing CUPE’s use of wage increase in small towns as a benchmark.

It says that other cities have settled for much lower increases, such as 6.7 per cent over three years in Regina, 10 per cent over five years in Lloydminster, and 5.7 per cent over three years in Swift Current and North Battleford.

Earlier today, CUPE 160 said it is asking the city for wage increases that match inflation.

CUPE 882 – which represents inside workers such as those at city hall and inside some recreation facilities – has been on the picket line since Sept. 11.

The city has offered 11 per cent and increased starting wages to the lowest paid workers, which adds up to an 11.5 per cent offer.

After its last offer was turned down, the city said it asked the union for a proposal, which it has so far not done.

“The city is not prepared to return to the table creating the perception that there is more than 11.5 per cent available,” said a news release from the city.

The union said it is waiting for the city to table a new offer.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com