COE Bargaining Update #10

Posted on 4/9/2025

Three Things to Know

  1. Extensive Program Specialist discussions took place as we continue to advocate for their rights under the Collective Agreement.
  2. The Negotiations Committee has received the City's initial offer for the general wage increase (GWI) and has since counter-offered.
  3. We are currently awaiting costings on other monetary items as we continue to craft a deal that reflects members’ priorities.

Meetings Recap

The Union met with the City on March 25, and April 2 and 3 to have discussions about Program Specialists, many monetary proposals such as the safety boot subsidy, benefits and the general wage increase (GWI), and we also signed-off some of the unfinished non-monetary proposals.

Program Specialists are currently exempt from many articles of the Collective Agreement. Member Experience Liaisons (MELs) in particular work alongside Recreation Facility Attendants and Recreation Technicians, but do not have the same Collective Agreement entitlements. For example, other recreation facility employees get paid double-time on statutory holidays but the MELs get paid time and a half as per Employment Standards. Two MELs attended bargaining on March 25, 2025 to share their experiences working at the City, which was extremely helpful, especially since management representatives from the same work area also attended. Fixing issues for Program Specialists is a priority for the Union and we’ve now had two substantial discussions at the bargaining table, with more to come.

Since we’ve now had initial discussions on all the monetary proposals, the City presented the Union an initial offer for the GWI. Our committee has also presented a counteroffer. We cannot share the offers at this time, since we are still waiting for costings for other items of importance that will need to be factored into decisions our committee makes. We remain committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement that we will be able to recommend for ratification. We’ve set additional dates in April and May to continue negotiations.

What's Next

Negotiations continue on:

  • April 11, 15, and 29
  • May 1, 8, 12, 22, 23, 26, and 28

Please wear your CS(YOU) 52 lanyard on these dates to show solidarity!


Your City of Edmonton Bargaining Committee