Contract talks broke down and the unionized employees have applied for conciliation. After being without a contract since November 1998, staff at the AGO have become frustrated with the slow progress of contract negotiations. The main areas of disagreement involve wages, job security and cuts to existing benefits. Gallery management has offered a zero per cent increase for three years effective from the date of ratification of a new contract. In reality, this would be a four-year wage freeze for staff who have not had an increase since December 1997.
Job security is another major concern.
The Gallery is increasing its use of volunteers, students, interns and plans to contract out work that could be done by existing employees. The Gallery is using volunteers with greater frequency, and now is reaching out to colleges and universities to find co-op students to do our work for lower wages. We respect students and volunteers, but they should support the work of the Gallery and its employees, not take it over. Benefits are the third great divide as the Gallery wants to put restrictions and caps on its health care coverage for employees. We're not greedy.