Government has been negotiating a new collective agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 1190 bargaining unit.
The employer has presented a contract offer to members of CUPE 1190.
CUPE 1190 represents mechanics, highway workers, parks workers and health supply chain workers.
The offer would give a 12.5% wage increase over four years:
The GEI offer is in line with what the Conciliation Board recommended as a reasonable increase in wages and keeps up with the cost of living.
Three unions, including one other CUPE local, have ratified contracts with the same GEI as offered to CUPE 1190.
Recognition and retention premiums:
In addition to the general economic increases (GEI), the employer has offered increases to premiums and benefits to permanent members, including but not limited to: overtime, standby, snow removal, boot allowance, paternity leave and tool allowance.
The employer’s offer aligns with the recommendations of the Conciliation Board relating to specific leave benefits for casual employees. While casual members will not be granted increases for paid sick and bereavement leave, these types of leave are not denied, but rather unpaid.
For casual employees with 8 or more years of continuous employment, the employer has agreed to increase vacation from 4% to 6%.
Due to the nature of casual work in New Brunswick, casual employees do not receive benefits equivalent to those of permanent employees. The employer offers benefits to casual employees consistent with the standard across the country and will continue to explore best practice toward greater benefits for casual employees.
Government respects the collective bargaining process, and the parties continue to work within the structure set out in the Public Service Labour Relations Act.
Following unsuccessful face-to-face negotiations, the parties appeared before a Conciliation Board in the Fall of 2023. A Conciliation Board is made up of 3 representatives who are appointed by the Labour and Employment Board and agreed to by the parties. The Board makes recommendations during the conciliation process regarding what reasonable parties would agree to during the negotiation of a new collective agreement.
The employer accepted the Conciliation Board’s report, and its recommendations.
In July 2024, a deadlock was declared, and CUPE 1190 has taken a strike vote.