The union representing city workers filed seven grievances against the municipality during the fourth quarter of 2022, while the fire association lodged one grievance during the same period, a report shows.
Of the grievances that CUPE initiated between October and December, it withdrew one complaint while five went to arbitration, according to a fourth-quarter report presented during the recent city council meeting. Meanwhile, the Moose Jaw Firefighters’ Association withdrew two grievances that were already active.
As of Dec. 31, 2022, the firefighters’ association had one active grievance against the city and CUPE had 15 active grievances, which is an increase of six from the third quarter, the report continued. Thirteen grievances relate to discipline that city hall issued against employees; discipline is based on thorough investigations of concerns.
The fact most grievances relate to discipline “is not completely unsurprising” because those issues come in waves, HR director T.J. Karwandy explained in response to a council question. Grievance complaints usually follow when disciplinary sanctions are handed out to staff.
Software pilot project
Also during the fourth quarter, city hall began participating in a “diversity software” pilot project in partnership with local company Vize Labs, the report showed. A group of city staff is trialling a software program focused on “diversity and inclusion” in communications.
This software is an add-on to Microsoft Teams and is similar to “cultural spellcheck,” where it advises staff if their terminology is not inclusive and suggests alternative wording, Karwandy said in response to another council question.
Karwandy thought this pilot project was a “win-win” for both parties because the city could test it and the company could acquire data from the initiative.
Workforce demographics
There were 294 people working for the City of Moose Jaw as of Dec. 31, 2022, which is two more people when compared to the same point in 2021, the report said.
The top three departments with the most staff include parks and recreation (79), the fire department (49) and water and wastewater (30).
Meanwhile, demographic numbers show that:
- 41.2 per cent of staff has worked less than five years with the city
- 20.8 per cent has worked five to 10 years
- 15 per cent has worked 10 to 15 years
- 8.6 per cent has worked 15 to 20 years
- 7.7 per cent has worked 20 to 25 years
- 6.7 per cent has worked more than 25 years
Also, data for the age of city workers shows:
- 5.1 per cent are under the age of 20
- 14.7 per cent are aged 20 to 30
- 23.6 per cent are aged 30 to 40
- 26.2 per cent are aged 40 to 50
- 19.8 per cent are aged 50 to 60
- 10.5 per cent are over the age of 60
Also, 60.1 per cent of the workforce is male and 39.9 per cent is female.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 27.
