Dear DCS members,

Lead Table bargaining came to a halt on September 27^th after two days of unproductive conciliation meetings.

Since that time, Local 3067, New Dawn, took a strike vote with 100 percent of members voting in favour.

Many Locals are working on their Essential Services plans in preparation for taking strike votes. Nine of the 19 Locals affected by the Essential Services Act are close to having their Essential Services agreement in place.

Your CUPE representatives met on October 6 to strategize about how we can all work together to put pressure on the government to come back to the table and bargain fairly, or really to bargain at all! Because there has been virtually no bargaining at the Lead Table, other than a final offer.

It is challenging to organize information pickets and do strike planning when we are geographically scattered and have locals that have only a few members. But this is not an insurmountable challenge. It simply requires planning and determination and the will to come together and make our voices heard.

We will be holding a Zoom Town Hall meeting on October 18 for all members who work in the DCS sector. There will be two sessions: 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm. It is hoped that all members will have an opportunity to attend one of the sessions. We will be discussing what is happening with bargaining and where we go from here.

It is important that as many members as possible attend these sessions. Please spread the word.

ZOOM Town Hall Meeting
on DCS Bargaining
Wednesday, October 18
3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

Here is a recap of bargaining so far:

• The Lead Table met with the Employer on March 21 & 22 where proposals were exchanged. Because the Local that is the Lead Table, L3067—New Dawn, had not completed their Local bargaining, the time was spent on Local issues. (To be compliant with the Provincial protocol this had to be done first.)
• Bargaining was set to resume on May 3 & 4. By noon on May 3rd the lawyer for the Employer/government declared an impasse and stated that we might as well go to Conciliation. We had had no meaningful discussion on any of our proposals.
• Conciliation was scheduled for Sept 26 & 27.
• We met at 9 am on Sept 26 where the Employer tabled what they called a “final offer.”
• We were told that a wage adjustment for Counsellors that is equal to the CCAs in long term care would be offered. The Employer’s final offer is NOT equal—it is 46 cents less per hour. We are also asking for an increase that acknowledges the higher level of responsibility. (Counsellors have historically earned a bit more than CCAs because of a higher level of responsibility)
• The wage offer ignores our demand to bring Counsellors who are earning only 90 percent of the CCA rate up to par with the rest of the Counsellors. (Four Locals at the 90% rate)
• The offer included a 1% increase in contributions for those that have an RRSP. We are asking that all members throughout the sector have a Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
• NONE of our proposals were agreed upon or even seriously entertained. We had 10 outstanding items going into Conciliation—we still have 9!

The outstanding items include:

• Wages—an increase to all Counsellor positions to acknowledge the work that you do! (maintaining the “bit” higher rate than what the CCAs make)
• Adjustment for the 4 Locals only making 90% of the old CCA rate.
• Adjustment for support staff in the Institutions
• Shift and weekend premiums increase (if we get a 5-year deal)
• Language around guaranteed paid training IF the employer or DCS changes the qualifications (to protect everyone with the changes coming to the sector)
• Defined benefit plan for the 13 Locals that do not have one
• Long term disability plan at a 50/50 cost share
• Leave for Domestic Violence
• New in-depth language around violence in the workplace
• The term of the agreement (we are asking for a 5 year term)

NEXT STEPS:

We encourage all of the Locals to get their Essential Services plans done.

We may be asking some Locals to take a strike vote, and/or participate in rallies, info pickets etc.

Servicing reps will be working with their Locals every step of the way.

We know many of you are frustrated that government refuses to acknowledge the important work that you do. We are frustrated too.

Let’s put our heads together and see what we can achieve as a united force. The union that plans together, succeeds together!

See you at the ZOOM Town Hall of October 18.