Bargaining in the Broader Public Sector Conference
Conference Co-Chairs
Conference Advisory Committee
Deborah Schaan
General VP North
Local 417
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Alberta Division
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Workshop sold separately from stand-alone conference.
Workshop: Rethinking Bargaining Basics: Costing benefits, crafting language, creating innovative clauses
In this workshop, experts will guide participants through bargaining processes, with a focus on the importance of costing and collective agreement language. Attendees will hear panel discussions and work through realistic scenarios, gaining the skills necessary to:
- Apply current approaches in costing a collective agreement;
- Understand the application of the concept of total compensation;
- Formulate clear and compelling contract language; and
- Develop innovative clauses to address current workplace challenges.
Friday, November 8, 2024
What are economists forecasting for 2025? In this session, expert economists will examine 2025 economic and fiscal forecasts in Alberta and federally. Specifically, the panel will address:
- What short- and long-term economic trends are experts predicting Canadians will experience in 2025 in Alberta and in Canada generally?
- How does the Alberta economic outlook compare to other provinces and the United States?
- Are inflation and cost-of-living projected to increase in 2025?
- What is the status of the Alberta labour market and how does it compare with the labour market federally? Were more jobs gained or lost in 2024? What is the outlook for employment status in 2025?
- What measures are governments likely to prioritize in 2025 provincial and federal budgets to promote economic growth and prosperity?
In this session, expert panelists will explore the implications of the economic and fiscal climate for bargaining, focusing on settlements and awards, and addressing questions such as:
- How has the rise in the rate of inflation seen throughout the pandemic been addressed at the bargaining table? Beyond general wage increases, what wage adjustment measures are being negotiated?
- Is inflation’s deleterious effect on workers’ purchasing power the main driver behind recent rejections of tentative agreements, or is something else at play?
- Has there been a rise in employer-sought “rollbacks” at the bargaining table?
- How is the recent reported decline in inflation expected to impact wage demands? Will demands moderate or remain high due to low consumer confidence and high household costs relating to essentials, mortgages, and/or rent?
- How are concerns about productivity and the standard of living likely to be reflected at the bargaining table?
- What key non-monetary demands are emerging at the bargaining table in the current climate?
In this session, panelists will examine recent decisions, legislative changes, and other developments impacting bargaining in the public sector. Final topics will be selected in the weeks prior to the conference to ensure coverage of the latest and most important developments. Topics currently include:
- The impact of recent court decisions concerning freedom of association and the legality of legislation restricting collective bargaining processes and outcomes;
- The impact of recent arbitral awards, including interest arbitration decisions addressing inflation and staffing/recruitment issues;
- The impact of recent labour board decisions addressing issues such as unfair labour practices, statutory freeze violations, and picketing in a remote work context;
- The impact of recent legislative initiatives including:
- Federal legislation to ban the use of strike replacement workers; and
- Provincial legislation regarding government oversight and coordination of non-union public sector compensation;
- Recent noteworthy settlements and strike actions; and
- Current workplace trends, including artificial intelligence, remote work, the right to disconnect, etc.
Workplace conditions can affect organizational health, employee satisfaction, employee performance, and turnover. This panel will examine important considerations for addressing recruitment and retention at the bargaining table. Experts will discuss:
- Emerging collective agreement language regarding benefits and leaves;
- Particular work arrangements that enhance work-life balance;
- Work from home or hybrid work arrangements;
- Means for improving employee mental health and minimizing burnout or undue stress; and
- The potential for unions to act as hiring halls to supply staff to nursing homes and retirement homes
