More than three-dozen out-of-scope employees with the City of Moose Jaw will receive a pay increase as part of a new two-year contract.
The City of Moose Jaw reached a tentative agreement with CUPE Local 9 on March 12, while CUPE members voted in favour of the agreement in late May. Historically, out-of-scope (OOS) employees are provided with the same remuneration and benefit enhancements tied to CUPE settlement agreements.
As part of the new agreement, 36 OOS staff received an increase of 1.25 per cent for Jan. 1, 2019 and an increase of 1.50 per cent for Jan. 1, 2020. Furthermore, employees with more than 22 years of experience will now receive six weeks of vacation; one employee will benefit from this change. OOS employees include department directors, managers, department heads and supervisors.
The personnel committee approved a motion on June 8 to provide increases to OOS remuneration for 2019 and 2020. For pay increases in 2021 and 2022, the personnel committee directed city administration to defer OOS increase discussions to the new council.
“In Moose Jaw, out-of-scope salaries mimic what in-scope salaries are,” Al Bromley, director of human resources, told city council during its June 15 regular meeting.
Most municipalities in Saskatchewan follow the process of awarding the same wage increases to OOS employees as to CUPE, he continued. For example, 10 municipalities awarded an average of 1.64 per cent last year; Moose Jaw plans to provide 1.25 per cent. Furthermore, nine municipalities awarded an average of 1.74 per cent for this year; Moose Jaw plans to provide 1.50 per cent.
Each one-per-cent increase represents $37,250 including associated benefit costs, which means this two-year pay increase will cost the City of Moose Jaw $74,500.
Council later voted 6-1 to approve the pay increase and additional vacation time. Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, June 29.
