New contract for RRC Polytech, ACC instructors

August 12, 2023 All No Comments


Maggie Macintosh
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter


By: Maggie Macintosh
Posted:

Students at Red River College Polytechnic and Assiniboine Community College in Brandon need not worry about a possible instructor strike during the back-to-school season.

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Students at Red River College Polytechnic and Assiniboine Community College in Brandon need not worry about a possible instructor strike during the back-to-school season.

After nearly two years of negotiations, during which employees gave their union a mandate to take job action amid growing frustrations in the spring, staff members at both Manitoba post-secondary institutions have ratified new collective agreements.

“I know it’s been a long time and I think it relieves some angst (among members),” said Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union. “They’ve basically sat with wages frozen for the last two years.”


<p>MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS</p><p>After nearly two years of negotiations staff members at both Manitoba post-secondary institutions have ratified new collective agreements. “I know it’s been a long time and I think it relieves some angst (among members),” said Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union.</p><p>” src=”https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/1614061_web1_230808-Liquor-strike-0011.jpg?w=1000″></img></a><figcaption><p>MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS</p><p>After nearly two years of negotiations staff members at both Manitoba post-secondary institutions have ratified new collective agreements. “I know it’s been a long time and I think it relieves some angst (among members),” said Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union.</p></figcaption></figure><p>MGEU represents about 1,900 members, including educators, administrators and information technology workers, between the two schools.</p><p>Their new four-year contract (2021-24) includes general salary increases of two per cent annually for all members. Long-time employees will also receive a three per cent bonus in 2024, the final year of the agreement.</p><p>Ross said the final proposal addresses concerns about employers offering some unit members greater overall increases than others.</p><p>Melanie Gudmundson, chief human resources officer for RRC Polytech, announced the union ratification — “the result of a tremendous amount of effort by all parties” — in a notice posted to the Winnipeg-based school’s website Friday.</p><p>Contract negotiations began in October 2021. An impasse prompted the parties to start working with a conciliator in early 2023.</p><p>Union leaders began preparing picket lines in March, citing a strong strike mandate from members, but April job action was called off amid further discussion with the employer and conciliator. On July 13, those involved reached a tentative agreement.</p><p>According to RRC Polytech’s bargaining webpage, its full-time employees will also receive $1,000 and part-timers are to be awarded $500 as a “recognition bonus.”</p><p>The package includes a new maximum salary schedule step, benefit improvements, and additional annual lump sums for instructors with a master’s degree or doctorate to recognize their qualifications.</p><p>maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca</p><div><p><noscript><img alt=Maggie Macintosh

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