The Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees (PEI UPSE) was disappointed in the most recent announcement from the Office of the Auditor General regarding the Health PEI Executive Leadership Team compensation.
PEI UPSE has been at the bargaining table for approximately nineteen (19) months and moving to conciliation this month due to an impasse by the parties, more specifically on the proposed compensation being offered. It appears the Employer’s priority was more directed toward an enhanced compensation package for themselves rather than the frontline workers who worked short-staffed, double shifts, and in high-risk areas, who conveniently enough brought the organization through the worst health pandemic (COVID-19).
These actions from the Employer are extremely disheartening and demoralizing for our members, who we have heard from loud and clear. It does nothing to build confidence and/or trust in all levels of government or its recruiting or retention efforts. The leadership group rolled out a ‘Just Culture” initiative in the interests of fairness, but it appears this was just smoke and mirrors.
PEI UPSE believes that if it is the intent to continue to compensate these senior leaders with their current salaries and this is indeed supported by the PEI Public Service Commission for so-called “benchmarking”, it will be the intent moving forward that PEI UPSE will use this benchmarking approach at bargaining to canvas both public and private entities to determine an appropriate and fair wage for many of our public service classifications that are paid well below market value.
Respectfully,
Karen Jackson
President