News Release
February 12, 2004
Strike averted at Statistical Survey Operations
A strike by Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) members at Statistics Canada's Statistical Survey Operations (SSO) has been averted with the ratification of two tentative agreements, one for Regional Office Interviewers and one for Field Interviewers.
“After over two years of prolonged negotiations with SSO, we were finally able to achieve settlements that have been ratified by a majority of the members,” says PSAC National Executive Vice-President John Gordon.
According to PSAC's Union of National Employees President Heather Brooker, the members' persistence was a key factor in achieving these settlements. “Our members gave their union a very strong strike mandate and then showed they were prepared to take action with a series of rotating strikes last fall.”
Salaries were a major issue in dispute. Rates being paid to most interviewers were lower than the lowest clerical rate in the federal government. The new agreements include both economic increases and restructuring of increments in the wage grid that will narrow the wage gap with their federal government counterparts.
“These agreements are equal to or better than agreements we have negotiated in the broader public service,” explains Gordon. “We will be preparing for the next round of bargaining soon and we will be building on a solid foundation.”
Highlights of the agreements include:
Over the life of the agreements, the minimum rate for Interviewers increases from $10.96 an hour to $12.82, while the maximum rate rises from $13.47 an hour to $15.84.
Effective the date of signing, Interviewers will be eligible for increments after periods of 52 weeks. They had previously been required to work 1,950 hours before qualifying for each increment. This is particularly significant due to the irregular nature of their hours of work.
Field Interviewers, who work during the day, evenings and weekends will receive a new premium of 90 cents an hour for all hours worked, in recognition of their “shift work”. Regional Office Interviewers will see their shift premium increased to $2.00 an hour for evening and weekend work.
Field Interviewers who used to receive a flat 6% payment in lieu of vacation leave will see these payments rise on a sliding scale to a maximum of 11.5%, depending on their years of service. Regional Office Interviewers will receive six weeks' vacation leave after 28 years down from 29) and increased credits in their 16th, 17th and 27th anniversaries of service.
Effective June 1, 2004, Regional Office Interviewers will receive one day of paid personal leave and one day of paid volunteer leave per year.
Field Interviewers will receive 4.25% in lieu of designated holidays (up from 4%) and a new 3.5% payment on all straight time hours worked in lieu of some paid leaves.
The approximately 2,000 SSO Regional Office and Field Interviewers collect data by phone or in person which is used in a wide range of Statistics Canada surveys. The two PSAC agreements with SSO will expire on November 30, 2004.
For information: John Gordon, PSAC National Executive Vice- President
613-560-4310
Heather Brooker, President, Union of National Employees
613-560-4301
07-120204
Date Modified : 2011/09/08
