Workforce Transition Program LOU Ratified

Posted October 8, 2020 Updated October 28, 2020

Info for Employees

The following links were provided by the City of Edmonton – these resources will help guide employees through the application process: Information Kit Appendix B: Q & A Employee Service Contacts

Ratification Vote Results

Thank you to all CSU 52 members who participated in the ratification vote on the proposed Workforce Transition Program LOU. (Members had to had been registered for the October 22, 2020 Special Meeting through Zoom to receive the Poll Link) The majority of voters voted YES to accept the proposed LOU. The Workforce Transition Program LOU has been accepted by the Union.

Workforce Transition Program LOU

Special Meeting | October 22, 2020

Recently, the Union and the City of Edmonton have had discussions regarding the Workforce Transition Program Letter of Understanding.  Due to some rather tight timelines, the Union is holding a Special Meeting via Zoom on October 22, 2020 to discuss the proposed LOU with the membership. After the meeting, you will be asked to vote on the LOU: The online poll will only be open between 8:00 p.m. and midnight of October 22, 2020 – all approved registrants to the meeting will receive an invitation link shortly before 8:00 p.m. to vote. As long as your Zoom registration was approved, you will receive the poll link regardless of your online attendance to the meeting. Your vote (ratification/non-ratification) will determine the outcome of this proposal. Please note, this proposed LOU is currently not being offered to members who work at the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). Please register for the Zoom meeting beforehand in order to receive the Join link.

Thursday, October 22, 2020 5:30 pm Start Online via Zoom

Register Now

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KSoWDILHQ1SSeCwOwC4xIg

City of Edmonton , News

47 thoughts on “Workforce Transition Program LOU Ratified”

  1. Lynda Nelson says:

    Just an observation; I believe there may be a typo under the 2nd bullet of Page 3, under Option 2. That bullet indicates “Retirement Payment”;however, this may need to be amended to reference “Severance Payment”. Have a closer look for a possible amendment.

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Lynda
      The City drafted the LOU so it would need to be edited by them. We just received it for review and presentation to the membership.
      Thanks

  2. June says:

    I was looking at the City 97 package and they offered 2 weeks pay per year of service for the first 18 years and 3 weeks pay per year for excess of 18 years. The max payout was 52 weeks and included benefits (Medical, Dental, Alberta Health for 5 years including life insurance). This was a fair package however this current one that is being proposed for 3 months is an extremely low offer especially for employees who have dedicated their entire lives to this organization. The norm for severence is usually a minimum of 1-2 weeks per year and in the private industry they get as much as 4 weeks. I think this package should be revised to offer more for employees.

    Note: Just read in the paper that Councilors receive 3 weeks for every year that they are in office when they leave – not sure if this is for severence or something else though..

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi June
      Your comment has been forwarded to a Labour Relations Officer for review and follow-up.
      Thanks

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Gordon
      The City will determine what areas it wishes to see a work force reduction in. We have not been informed of the areas at this point.
      Thanks

  4. Judy Aslin says:

    With either option 1 or 2 will we be paid out for our vacation that we have accummulated, and will the City coordinate the employee’s retirement?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Judy
      Yes you would be paid out accumulated vacation. Those would not be included in the package. They would be monies owing in addition to the package. The City will coordinate retirement timelines to balance operational needs.
      Thanks

  5. Leslie says:

    Was any consideration given to covering LAPP payments, for staff on temporary layoff, from time of layoff to Dec. 31, 2020? What are the logistics of accepting voluntary retirement and commencing pension when staff on temporary layoff have missed up to 9 months of pension contributions in 2020? Why should our pensionable time, and contributions, be reduced by time on temporary layoff? Are we supposed to buy back our pension with our 3 or 6 month payout option? Will the payout option include LAPP payments?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Leslie

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  6. Leslie says:

    It is an understatement to say this has “rather tight timelines”. We are expected to vote on the LOU after the Oct. 22 meeting? And the appendices are not even available yet? Did CSU 52 agree to this “tight timeline”. I am not able to attend the 5:30 meeting due to a personal commitment that cannot be changed. Is the vote a done deal or can the vote occur next week after we receive and, have time to, review all of the information associated with the LOU?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Leslie
      Please still register for the meeting as you will then receive the link to vote on the package once the meeting has concluded. The City has pushed to have this done quickly – we managed to extend their timelines as we wanted to take this to the membership for their approval. We attempted to negotiate the terms of the packages and that request was denied.
      Hope this helps.
      Thanks

  7. Julia Noorman says:

    Hello,

    I have a few questions about the voluntary resignation process as well as how this impacts people currently on Temporary Layoff. 

    1) Are those on temporary layoff eligible?
    2) What impact would voluntary resignation have on future EI eligibility and EI claimed up to this point?
    3) What are the statutory deductions?
    4) Will employees if permanently laid off receive severance or benefits? 

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Julia

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  8. Julia says:

    Hello,

    1) Will employees currently on temporary layoff receive severance if they are permanently laid off?
    2) If employees on temporary layoff take the voluntary resignation severance how will this impact their EI eligibility?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Julia

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  9. Marg says:

    What happens if an employee is currently on STD until a specific date….are they still eligible once their STD ends? Also, can you provide a list of areas that were impacted by layoffs to see whether my area is eligible? Thank you.

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Marg
      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  10. Lorry Yendall says:

    Hi,

    For Voluntary Retirement, the eligibility says 7 years of pensionable service and then second part says 7 years of continuous service at time of application. Do you need to qualify for both for Voluntary Retirement?

    Thanks, Lorry

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Lorry

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Christine
      I have forwarded your email onto a representative of the Coalition of Edmonton Civic Unions for response.
      Thanks

  13. Barry Fraser says:

    If I have EDB Time and Holiday pay owing me — how will that be effected .
    Do they (COE ) need to pay that out separate

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Barry

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  14. Anna V says:

    Are members required to have a union card in order to vote on this? Or is active membership sufficient? I know that the board elections taking place on Oct 27 via online vote state that members must have a union card in order to vote. The election webpage states: “Please note, members must be active card-carrying members to be able to vote. If you do not currently have a CSU 52 Membership Card, you can apply for one online at https://csu52.org/oath-card-and-membership-update-form/ No new or replacement cards will be issued once voting starts on October 27 – the onus is on the Union members to have a valid card before the election starts.” I’m wondering if the same is required for the LOU ratification. Thank you!

  15. BJ says:

    To make a decision, it would be nice to know what the ‘take home’ amount would be. Can you be more specific about “Statutory deductions”? Like maybe a couple of different scenarios with example numbers…?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi BJ

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Catriona
      We are currently discussing the possibility of recording the meeting and having it available. Please stay tuned for additional information.
      Thanks

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Catriona
      The meeting will not be recorded but if you register for the meeting you will get the link to vote after the meeting has concluded.
      Thanks

  17. Susan Dyson says:

    What if I am not in an area affected by workforce reduction and I want to accept the Voluntary Retirement offer?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Susan

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Tarra

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  19. Tarra Kongsrude says:

    Hi,

    In first part “eligible retirement” says 7 years of pensionable service and then second part says 7 years of continuous service at time of application. The second part eliminates me and others, no doubt.

    Does the person need to retire by December 31, 2020 or sooner?

    What is the actual value per year of employee + city portion of medical/dental benefits per year?

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Tarra

      I have forwarded your questions to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

  20. pierre gagnon says:

    how about a month for every year you serve with the city up to 24month max and retain your benefits till 65 this package is a joke!!!!!!

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Pierre

      I have forwarded your comments to a Labour Relations Officer for review and response.

      Thanks

    • Rebecca Menard says:

      Hi Justin
      If you register for the meeting you will receive the link to vote once the meeting has concluded.
      Hope this helps.
      Thanks

  23. Len Handel says:

    Hi
    I have not heard anything about about buyout packages for those who want them or close to retirement, is this going to be an option with the City of Edmonton?
    Thx
    Len Handel

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