We wanted to reach out in response to the email sent by Buffalo Trail to address some factual inaccuracies.

As we stated in our last bargaining update, the employer did propose a 10% wage increase over four years (3%, 3%, 2%, 2%) with no retroactivity and they were unwilling to entertain negotiating an increase in hours and days in the collective agreement. We’ve heard that other CUPE education locals got higher offers at the table and other non-CUPE education locals have received higher offers during bargaining. We also think that this proposal from the employer does not address the real problem that support staff at Buffalo Trail are among the lowest paid in Alberta.

 The Local asked the mediator to issue a report with no recommendations because both sides are far apart. Your bargaining committee also indicated to the employer that we were willing to stay in communication and would be willing to come back to the table if there was a change in position.

 The employer cancelled bargaining dates in November and was unwilling to meet with the local without a mediator. Since October, they have been inflexible in offering dates to meet. Your local committee indicated a desire to meet with the mediator right after the Christmas Break so that we could get back to the table, but Buffalo Trail refused to make themselves available until the end of January.  We did have two days held at the end of March because the employer was so inflexible with their availability, but these dates were never confirmed.

 If our employer wants to present a better offer we are more than willing to return to the table. We will have more updates for the membership at our meeting Monday night and encourage everyone to attend.