The following update is being shared with all staff at RRC Polytech on behalf of the Bargaining Committee:

Today, we’re providing an update on our progress in finalizing the ratified Collective Agreement and what you can expect from the College as we continue to work with the Union to finalize and implement those changes.

Many of you have questions about when to expect to receive the recognition payments, retroactive pay adjustments, and when the new pay scales will be reflected in your bi-weekly pay statements.

The College is working diligently to complete this work, in collaboration with the Union, to ensure that all the new pay scales are accurate (this takes verification by the College and the Union to avoid any errors) so that employees receive the proper retroactive pay adjustments this fall.

Since we’re verifying payroll information from two systems (Colleague and HRIS), we are taking extra care to ensure that everything is accurate, and you are appropriately compensated.

Eligible employees will receive the one-time recognition payment first, which we anticipate will be processed in September.  The new pay scales will then be implemented and reflected on bi-weekly pay statements which is anticipated in October followed by retroactive payments in November.     

The recognition payment and all retroactive payments will be processed as a separate deposit on a regular pay cycle.

As soon as the specific day dates are confirmed, we will update you so you know when to expect them.

Changes to the Flex Benefit Plan options 1 through 4 including improvements to the Health Spending Account, will take effect on January 1, 2024. 

We recognize that this has been a long process for our College community and we are eager to have these changes implemented as soon as possible.

We hope this update provides some additional information regarding the of the work that is underway and that will continue over the coming weeks.

We remain committed to working with the Union to ensure our implementation plan moves as quickly as possible, and we will continue to keep you updated as this work progresses.

Thank you,

Melanie Gudmundson
Chief Human Resource Officer

RRC Polytech is pleased to share that the members of MGEU Local 73 have ratified the new collective agreement. 

The new agreement is the result of a tremendous amount of effort by all parties at the bargaining table, and we extend our gratitude to the bargaining teams and conciliator for their efforts to move forward in support of our staff, faculty and students. 

We appreciate your support while both parties worked tirelessly to create a new agreement that ensures our staff and faculty are supported so we can continue to deliver the programming and experiences vital to our student’s success. 

Thank you to our entire College community for your support and patience as this critical work unfolded. Work is now underway to implement the new collective agreement, and more details will be available soon.

Thank you,

Melanie Gudmundson, Chief Human Resource Officer
Red River College Polytechnic

The following update is shared with all staff on behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee:

On July 13, after almost two years at the bargaining table, the College and MGEU reached a tentative agreement. We are very thankful for the efforts from both bargaining committees throughout this period. 

The terms of the tentative agreement are based on a compromise proposal from an experienced conciliator that had been working with the parties since January. We understand that as part of the agreement, your MGEU bargaining committee is recommending that you accept the offer. 

The new multi-year agreement includes consistent general salary increases for all employees of 2% each year. 

In addition, the agreement also includes the introduction of a new max step in year four for all salary schedules that is 3% higher than the current max step at year four. Employees will be eligible to access the new maximum step in keeping with the implementation notes in the tentative agreement on the effective date, and then all employees will continue to move through the Salary Schedule in keeping with the merit increment article in the collective agreement.

Based on questions that we have received, we are providing the following chart to outline the cumulative compounded compensation impact calculated based on employees that are eligible for the new maximum step.  These changes to compensation result in increases of up to 11.43%.

The agreement also provides increases to the following:

• Recognition bonus of $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees, effective date of signing of the collective agreement
• Increase Instructor Educational Supplements to:
  • Master’s Degree $2,850 per annum (increase of $125)
  • Doctorate $5,700 per annum (increase of $250)
• 50% increase in standby rates
• Flex benefit plan improvements that include a $350 increase to the Healthcare Spending Account for a total HCSA amount of $1,200 for Flex Benefit Plan options 1 – 4.

This package ensures steady wage increases and additional compensation increases to rates, stipends, and benefit improvements.

The new salary schedules will be calculated and retroactive payments for employees for year one (2021) and year two (2022) – which means two full years of 2% retro pay, respectively – and part of year three (2023), will begin to be processed immediately following the ratification of the tentative agreement. 

Please see below for additional information. 

As a member of the RRC Polytech faculty and staff, you are a valued part of our College community. We hope this update provides the clarity and transparency critical to your upcoming decision regarding the ratification of the tentative agreement.

Melanie Gudmundson
Chief Human Resource Officer
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

The following update is shared with all staff and students on behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

Late yesterday, RRC Polytech and MGEU Local 73 reached a tentative settlement to renew the collective agreement. That means the MGEU will present the terms of the new agreement to their members with a recommendation to accept.

The tentative agreement, developed with support from the conciliator, ensures steady wage increases and provides additional benefits to all employees at the College.

Today’s outcome is the result of a tremendous amount of effort by all parties at the bargaining table, and we extend our gratitude to the bargaining teams and conciliator for their efforts.

The MGEU will meet with their members in the coming weeks to review the details of the agreement with a ratification vote on August 10, 2023. The College will share further details following the results of the vote.

Thank you to our entire College community for your patience and support as this critical work unfolds.

Melanie Gudmundson
Chief Human Resource Officer
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

The following update is shared with all staff and students on behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

We are providing an update on recent bargaining activity, between RRC Polytech and the MGEU through the end of May and into June.

During those sessions, with the assistance of a conciliator, the College tabled offers that included enhanced monetary compensation while the Union’s position remained essentially unchanged. Unfortunately, we do not appear to be moving closer to a resolution.

At our May 25^, session the College presented the following offer to the Union that provided additional enhancements:

• $350 increase to our Health Spending Account for full-time employees and a $175 increase to our Health Spending Account for part-time employees
• Increase to Instructor Educational Supplements
• 50% increase in standby rates
• Increased application of parental leave to both spouses where the College employs both.

Throughout our negotiations, the College has bargained in good faith, and our most recent offer balances steady wage increases throughout the life of the agreement keeps us competitive and maintains the College’s financial sustainability.

At our June 7th session, the Union provided the College with a counteroffer that we are now reviewing and will respond to the Union soon.

While we have upcoming bargaining dates scheduled for later in June, we have communicated our willingness to meet with the Union at any time to come to a resolution.

We know that this prolonged period of bargaining continues to impact our entire College community, and we remain committed to coming to a resolution at the bargaining table.

Please continue to check your college email and updates on our bargaining website as they become available.

The following update is sent on-behalf of the Bargaining Committee to all staff and students

Today, the MGEU advised the College that their members have voted to reject the last offer we presented during our bargaining sessions on April 5th and 6th. While this result is disappointing, the Union has agreed to return to the bargaining table later this month so we may resume our discussions to reach a renewed agreement. 

That means there will be no change to our college operations, and all programs, services, and upcoming events will continue as planned as both parties continue our work.

While today’s outcome is not what we had hoped for. We will continue to work towards a new agreement that ensures the College can support our staff, faculty, and ultimately our students while maintaining the financial sustainability needed to avoid impacting our programs and services.

Thank you to our college community for their continued patience as these negotiations unfold.

Please continue to check your college email and updates on our bargaining website as they become available.

Conor Lloyd
Director, College and Public Relations
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

The following update is shared with All Students at RRC Polytech on behalf of the College’s Bargaining Committee

We’re providing the following update as part of our continued commitment to keep you informed on our collective work to reach a new agreement with the MGEU.

This week the MGEU announced upcoming information sessions for members to vote on the College’s offer we presented during our bargaining sessions last week.

Taking the College’s offer to a membership vote does not mean that the College and the Union have reached an agreement or that there will not be a strike, but that the membership can see and evaluate the offer.

For students, this means there will be no disruption to programs, services, or exams while the Union takes the time needed to meet with its members. That means ongoing and upcoming work placements, paid and unpaid practicums, clinical placements, and other scheduled work-integrated learning activities will continue as planned.

Both parties are committed to the success of our students, and their best interests are essential to our discussions as we work to come to a resolution.

What has the College offered?

The College provided an update to staff and faculty today outlining the last offer we presented during our bargaining sessions that took place on April 5 and 6. The monetary proposal is available on our bargaining website.

What happens if the offer is rejected?

Right now, it’s too early to speculate about what may occur following the vote. Regardless of the outcome, the ability of students to complete their studies is our priority. If a work disruption should occur despite our best efforts, we will keep our College community informed through college email, LEARN, and updates on our bargaining website.

Thank you again for your continued patience as this work unfolds.

Conor Lloyd
Director, College and Public Relations
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

Offer to settle the terms of the collective agreement

The following update is shared with all staff at RRC Polytech on behalf of the College’s Bargaining Committee

The College and Union have participated in 26 bargaining sessions since October 2021. During the last two months, we’ve met with the Union with the support of an experienced conciliator.

During that time, we have exclusively communicated with the Union at the bargaining table to reach a renewed agreement. However, we are communicating directly with you at this very important stage of the process to ensure you have a complete picture before you vote on the College’s most recent offer.

As a publicly funded institution, we need to find the right balance to ensure that we can increase compensation to our employees while maintaining the College’s financial sustainability. Otherwise, our programs and services will be impacted.

The compensation package that the College presented offers increased wages and enhanced benefits. Additionally, the College has designed our monetary package to provide competitive salaries for our faculty through a special wage adjustment. The special wage adjustment supports the recruitment and retention of our faculty to ensure we can attract and retain the expertise critical to our student success.

The College’s offer not only addresses our community needs but is competitive with settlements in the Manitoba public sector that has been agreed upon by the parties or awarded by an interest arbitrator or the Labour Board.

Elements of the College’s Proposal

The critical elements of the College’s package proposal include a multi-year agreement with:

• Salary, benefits and other improvements for all employees
• new measures to enhance faculty compensation

Salary increases

The College’s proposal represents an overall general salary increase of 7.4% for all employees. For faculty, there are additional pay improvements through a special wage adjustment and extra step in the wage scale, representing a total faculty wage increase of up to 11.15% during the life of the agreement.

The enhanced monetary package presented at the bargaining table included the following:

1. The new multi-year agreement with general salary increases each year:

2. Recognition bonus of $500 for all full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees

3. New measures to enhance the instructor salary schedule in year two and year four:

• June 18, 2022 – 0.75% increase to the instructor salary schedule (all steps)
• June 15, 2024 – introduction of a new max step of 13 – 3% higher than step 12 in the instructor salary schedule *for eligible Faculty
• Increase in instructor educational supplements of $125 per year for a Master’s and $250 per year for a Doctorate

4. 50% increase in standby rates

5. Flex benefit plan improvements that include a $350 increase to the Health Care Spending Account for a total Healthcare Spending Account of $1200 for flex benefit plan options 1-4.

The College’s bargaining committee has worked diligently and explored every option to increase wages for our employees, enhance our benefits, and provide critical enhancements to faculty salaries. This offer represents the extent of what we’re able to do, without impacting programs and services.

What we’ve presented represents a significant change to compensation at the College and will benefit all MGEU members throughout the life of the agreement and into the future. This is why we felt it was important you have an opportunity to review our proposal and understand our approach to provide a compensation package that supports your work and doesn’t put programs and services essential to the College at risk.

Additional details are attached to this email that provides more information regarding proposed changes to our benefits plan, salary scales, and the faculty wage adjustment.

Faculty and staff are a valued part of our College community. We hope this update provides the clarity and transparency critical to your upcoming decision regarding our offer.

The College also shared an update with students today, and it is available on our bargaining website.

Melanie Gudmundson
Chief Human Resource Officer
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

The following update is shared with all staff and students at RRC Polytech on behalf of the College’s Bargaining Committee

Today, the College and the MGEU resumed bargaining to reach a renewed collective agreement. Following today’s session, the Union advised the College that they will suspend their planned strike on Tuesday, April 11 and present our most recent offer to their membership.

This development means there will not be a strike on April 11. The College will maintain regular operations, programs and services moving into next week. All programs, scheduled exams and events will proceed as planned for students.

Updates, as required, will be shared on our bargaining website.

Thank you to our college community for their continued patience as these negotiations unfold.

Conor Lloyd
Director, College and Public Relations
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee

The following message is sent to all staff and students on behalf of RRC Polytech’s Bargaining Committee

As part of our ongoing commitment to keep you informed, we’re sharing the following update with our entire College community.

The Union and the College are continuing the collective bargaining process with the next meeting scheduled to return to the table on April 5, 2023.

Yesterday the Union shared information with bargaining unit members their intention to begin a rotating strike action as of April 11, 2023, should a deal not be reached. Setting a strike date means that the union is planning to begin a rotating work disruption on April 11, unless an agreement between both parties can be reached prior to that date. This does not necessarily mean that a strike will happen, and we remain committed to working towards a resolution at the table.

The Union has also shared that beginning next week, they will be hosting strike information sessions with their membership as well as information pickets. We want to share this information with you so that you know what to expect over the coming days. 

A rotating strike is when some, but not all, of RRC Polytech staff and faculty on strike for a set period. The “rotating” part means that the departments or schools may change every few days, meaning that at any given time, some programs and services may continue while others will not.

We recognize that this is a difficult time for our College community. Many of you have questions and concerns related to your programs, or your work, and we understand that the information you are receiving may cause stress and uncertainty.

We want to assure you that we will continue to work towards a solution, and will support you however we can. Please continue to show patience, kindness and compassion to your peers and colleagues as we work through this.

What areas may be impacted?

At this time, we have only been made aware of the date the working and learning disruption may begin and have not yet received information related to the specific programs, schools or operational services that may be impacted at this time.  

Due to the potential nature of this rotating work disruption, the programs, services and supports available are subject to change depending on which area may be on strike. We are committed to providing the College community with this information as soon as it becomes available to us and regular updates will continue to be provided via email and our bargaining website. Please visit rrc.ca/bargaining and subscribe for working and learning related disruption updates.  

RRC Polytech campuses will remain open and hours of operation will remain the same.

What’s Next?

This notice of a strike date does not necessarily mean that a strike will take place. We remain committed to finding a solution at the bargaining table, and as mentioned earlier we have a session scheduled for April 5, 2023. We are committed to keeping you informed of any key developments going forward.

Supports available:

RRC Polytech continues to have employee / student and family assistance programs available to provide support during this time.  

The compensation package that the College offered is in keeping with recent agreements negotiated in the public sector in Manitoba. As a publicly funded institution, we need to find the right balance to ensure that we can increase compensation to our employees while maintaining the College’s financial sustainability to deliver our programs and services.

RRC Polytech respects and deeply values our entire College community, and we know that our staff and faculty are essential to creating a working and learning environment central to our student’s success. We remain steadfast in our commitment to continue bargaining to find a resolution.

We know that students and employees will have questions about the impact of the rotating strike. We will continue to provide updates to the RRC Polytech community in the coming days, along with FAQs, and a contact form for questions on our bargaining website. Please check for regular communication at rrc.ca/bargaining and subscribe for updates.

Thank you for your patience as we work to provide updates on this evolving situation.

Sincerely,

Conor Lloyd
Director, College and Public Relations
On behalf of the RRC Polytech Bargaining Committee