Living Sky approves two per cent increase for out-of-scope staff

As Premier Brad Wall grapples with a slump in the oil industry, he was hoping Saskatchewan's school divisions would apply the same wage freeze being applied to senior government officials, MLAs and out-of-scope government, crown and health region employees.

But Living Sky School Division doesn't see the top-down measure as fair for its out-of-scope employees.

Last week, the board approved a two per cent increase for all out-of-scope staff effective Sept. 1, which is the same as the Canadian Union of Public Employees will receive. They also approved an $8,000 adjustment to be split amongst the pay grids of its superintendents and chief financial officer in order to move the senior administrative staff salaries toward the provincial median.

"Last I heard this board is still autonomous so we can make decisions as to how our budget is set, and until the premier advises us otherwise it's business as usual," said the board's chair at recent meeting where a letter from the premier encouraging a wage freeze was being discussed.

"We've always tried to maintain the middle of the pay rate in the province and we're fortunate we get exceptional people for that amount of remuneration," said Ken Arsenault. "If you don't keep up with the cost of living, sooner or later you are going to have to look at five per cent or more to get people back where they should be."

Many boards in Saskatchewan tie their wages for out-of-scope staff directly or indirectly to the raises Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation and CUPE get. (A recent settlement sees a STF wage increase of 7.55 per cent over four years.)

Director of Education Randy Fox said the advice boards across the province were getting from the Saskatchewan School Boards Association lawyers was to honour any contracts or policies in place or it could be perceived as the dismissal of those contracts or agreements.

"I think in many cases most are looking at something closer to looking for efficiencies and being respectful it's going to be a tight budget but not necessarily denying any increases to the staff," said Fox.

Vice-chair Ronna Pethick said the government will be expecting efficiencies to reflect its tight budget, but she added there are numerous efficiencies the division has already put into place and the chief financial officer, Lonny Darroch, will be putting that information into their budget notes to be sure they are on record with the government.

Out-of-scope staff are the administrative staff who provide support to the board of education, schools, staff, students and the general public – comprising the division's superintendents and senior staff, including the director of education and the chief financial officer, plus administrative assistants.

In 2014, out-of-scope salaries increased 1.75 per cent, the same as the division's CUPE staff received.

In 2013, a 1.5 per cent increase for out-of-scope employees was included in the budget.

In 2012 and 2011, the increase was three per cent.

The board has been setting its remuneration at its annual organizational meeting held in November. In 2013 they approved a 1.5 per cent increase and in 2012 a three per cent increase. In 2014, they resolved to have this year's board indemnities and expenses set during the spring budget process, which is currently ongoing.