LESS cash…for life
(This Issue Sheet contains specific information on the employer-proposed wage grid for the Corrections Bargaining Unit)
The employer proposal for a 12 step wage grid, which would replace the current wage grid structure, will have a massive long-term impact on your earnings. With a new start rate of five per cent BELOW the current start rate, (a newly hired Correctional Officer’s start rate would be $22.82) it may mean that the newly hired Correctional Officer 1 could take up to a minimum of 16 years to reach the top wage of the Correctional Officer 2 wage grid. This proposal is not only a punishment for new workers but also any member who changes careers within the OPS. Any employee moving to a new classification would start as a “new hire” at the start rate of their new classification and take additional 11 years to reach the top of the grid.
The reality is that over the span of the 12 steps, employees could lose almost one whole year of earnings. The employer’s proposal is clearly a wage claw back!
Based on the examples of the new grids provided by the employer, here’s an example of what can happen to three positions – a Correctional Officer 2, a Youth Worker and a Probation Officer 2. A new Correctional Officer 2 or Youth Worker would lose more than $64,000 and a Probation Officer 2 would lose more than $53,000 over the 11 years of the new grid. This would also reduce the value of an employee's pension. Additionally, FXT PPOs and POs who are already progressing through the PO2 wage grid would be dropped back to the lowest PO2 start rate upon being hired into a full time position.
The biggest hits on employees in this proposal actually occur in the middle of the grid where a Correctional Officer and Youth Worker would lose nearly $10,000 in a single year at Step 6. Similarly the Probation Officer would lose over $8,500 in just one year at Step 7. No other Correctional Service or Law Enforcement agency in Canada has a 12 step wage grid. Why should we be any different?
This concession goes far beyond the proposed length of the contract. It will hurt you now, and keep hurting you for life.
The bottom line: If you are at any place in the grid other than the top, you suffer. If you are planning a change in your career, you suffer. If you are converted to full time, or just started your career, you really suffer.
The numbers:
Hourly earnings for a Correctional Officer and Youth Worker:
Step 1 – $24.52 instead of $25.81
Step 2 – $25.17 instead of $26.61
Step 3 – $25.83 instead of $28.69
Step 4 – $26.51 instead of $30.28
Step 5 – $27.21 instead of $31.73
Step 6 – $27.92 instead of $32.64
Step 7 – $28.66 instead of $32.64
Step 8 – $29.42 instead of $32.64
Step 9 – $30.19 instead of $32.64
Step 10 – $30.99 instead of $32.64
Step 11 – $31.80 instead of $32.64
Step 12 – the current maximum of $32.64
Weekly earnings for a Probation Officer 2:
Step 1 – $1,124.00 instead of $1,183.16
Step 2 – $1,151.21 instead of $1,219.75
Step 3 – $1,179.07 instead of $1,258.58
Step 4 – $1,207.61 instead of $1,298.60
Step 5 – $1,236.84 instead of $1,340.99
Step 6 – $1,266.77 instead of $1,385.67
Step 7 – $1,297.43 instead of $1,462.23
Step 8 – $1,328.83 instead of $1,462.23
Step 9 – $1,361.00 instead of $1,462.23
Step 10 – $1,393.94 instead of $1,462.23
Step 11 – $1,427.68 instead of $1,462.23
Step 12 – the current maximum of $1,462.23