New statutory holidays in Manitoba and Ontario add to average
Family Day in Ontario and Louis Riel Day in Manitoba are providing the majority of new holidays seen in 2008’s collective agreements. New floaters and personal days have not had the impact they did in 2007.
The average number of paid holidays in the 335 private-sector collective agreements ratified since January 1, 2007 in the CLV Reports database is 11.7 and ranges from nine at several companies (many in the Maritimes) to a maximum of 21. Over this range, 3.3 per cent of employers granted nine days, 21.5 per cent have 10 or 10.5 days, 25.4 per cent have 11 days, 24.5 per cent have 12 days, 14.9 per cent have 13 days, 5.4 per cent have 14 days and 5.1 per cent have 15 or more days. This average is almost identical to last year’s, with a number of additions and a few reductions in holidays.
This year’s survey contained fewer agreements with generous holiday provisions, so the unchanged average masks the increases that are taking place. For example, last year’s survey contained over 26.9 per cent of private-sector agreements with 13 or more days. This year’s has 25.4 per cent.
The eight agreements from the primary sector average 11.75 holidays. The number of holidays increased in only one.
There were 189 manufacturing agreements, and they have an average of 12.0 holidays. One agreement decreased the number of holidays by one and another by three. (This is up from one last year.) One agreement dropped service-based floaters, and a second made the floaters unpaid. Among the improvements, 33 added a day or days (mostly Family Day), but a few added floaters. A significant number substituted the new stat day for a floater. The balance were either unchanged, or no previous information was available.
The 44 agreements representing transportation and utilities companies average 11.7 holidays. Eight improved their holiday policy, all being stat holidays. One traded a floater for eight hours of family leave. Finally, 92 service industry agreements average 11.1 days. Eighteen added a named holiday and three added a floater.
Among 107 public-sector employers, the average is marginally higher at 12.0 and ranges from eight to 20.5. This average comprises 4.7 per cent of employers at eight or nine holidays, 0.9 per cent at 10, 34.6 per cent at 11 or 11.5, 37.4 per cent at 12 or 12.5, 9.3 per cent at 13, 5.6 per cent at 14 and 7.5 per cent at 15 or more. Twenty-eight added time, a statutory holiday in every case.
Regionally, public and private employers in the west have negotiated an average of 11.4 paid holidays per year. This compares to 11.9 in Ontario, a national high of 12.7 in Quebec and 11.0 in the Atlantic provinces. Organizations that operate in several provinces average 11.1 days. The national average, based on agreements ratified since the beginning of 2008, is 11.77 days.
