As a result of a market review and a letter of understanding between the company and GSU, the minimums and maximums of most Viterra in-scope salary ranges will rise effective Jan. 1, 2022.

According to GSU general secretary Hugh Wagner, generally speaking, the increases to the pay ranges will be a very modest 1.5 percent and will not have a dramatic impact on the wages of most union members.

“The changes to salary range minimums and maximums should not be confused with the 2.5 percent aggregate salary increase that will also be applied retroactively to January 1 and is linked to employees’ annual performance evaluations,” Wagner said. “These increases are potentially more meaningful, but are also too low when compared to the rising cost of living.”

On Feb. 23, Wagner wrote to Viterra on the subject of wages and said,

“GSU does not object to raising the minimums and maximums of the salary ranges as proposed. However, we do argue that the salary ranges and employee’s individual rates of pay should be adjusted upwards significantly in light of the changing labour market and price inflation.”

He went on to say,

“We also continue to express the dissatisfaction of the union’s members in relation to the design and administration of the pay system, including unfairness in the application of annual salary increases.”

GSU members in Locals 1 (Viterra – Ops/Maintenance) and 2 (Viterra Head Office) will have an opportunity to tackle the subject of wage increases later this year when bargaining commences to amend and renew their collective agreements with Viterra. The current collective agreements expire on Oct. 31, 2022.

“Bargaining this coming fall will provide union members with an excellent opportunity to change the whole system of pay and wage increases into something that is much fairer, transparent and equitable,” Wagner said.