Establishment of a Framework Agreement with the non-unionized employees
Release of Stintz Letter to Council
Key Messages
- Councillor Karen Stintz has sent a letter to her fellow Councillors, calling upon them to establish a Framework Agreement with non-unionized employees given their strong commitment to the City of Toronto. The reasons are as follows.
- The City of Toronto Administrative, Professional, Supervisory Association (COTAPSA), the Professional Management Association that represents non-union employees, has always been a responsible partner working with the City to find “ Win – Win “ solutions to its many issues. They acknowledged the City’s fiscal challenge in their earlier offer to accept no increase (as long as the union did the same).
- Over the past number of years, non-union employees represented by COTAPSA, have made significant concessions to the City in order to help them manage their costs; and as a result have consistently seen their salaries and benefits decrease compared to union employees.
- On April 29, 2009, the City voted in favour of freezing the salaries of non-union employees with the intention of mitigating the City's salary costs. Non- union employees received:
- % COLA for 2009
- 1% COLA for 2010; and
- No re-earnable performance lump sum payment for 2009 for those employees at the maximum of the salary schedule
- Making a decision regarding the compensation of non-union employees prior to making the decision for union employees was highly unusual and a departure from City practices.
- In June 2009, Locals 79 and 416 went on strike. Non-union employees kept the City of Toronto functioning during the 39-day civic labour strike. They kept the city clean, safe, and working efficiently during this challenging time. The non-union employees did so with professionalism and pride. They had to give up their vacations. Many worked significant overtime with little or no time for their families.
- In August 2009, Union Locals 79 and 416 settled with the City and received:
- 1.75% COLA effective January 1, 2009;
- 2% COLA effective January 1, 2010; and
- 2.25% COLA effective January 1, 2011.
- Because of the settlement reached with the City’s union employees, there is a justifiably strong sentiment amongst non-union employees that they have not been treated consistently, fairly, and equitably. Non-union employees have consistently received less than their union counterparts, despite their hard work and dedication to the City.
- The City’s position is particularly regrettable given the tremendous contribution non-union employees made to protect its infrastructure and to keep the City of Toronto functioning during the 39-day civic labour strike.
- Going forward, non-union employees will continue to assist the City by attempting to find the 5% cost savings that has been requested of their divisions. At the earliest opportunity, non-union employees should also be compensated for their hard work and dedication.
- Establishing a Framework Agreement with non-union employees represented by COTAPSA is a modest request and will go a long way to ensuring that they don’t feel like they are being punished at a time when the City needs their expertise, knowledge, and experience to guide it through the City’s financial challenges.
