CUPE: labour peace in the valley

Castanet Staff - Story:  Jul 12, 2012 / 3:40 pm
Unionized employees with Local 338 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have reached their first collectively bargained agreement with the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The regional board ratified the agreement Thursday morning. Union membership had earlier ratified the contract. The four year contract is retroactive to January 1, 2011 when workers became certified. The new agreement runs through December 31st, 2014 and provides general wage increases retroactive to January 1st 2011 of 1.25%, 1.5% for 2012, and 1.6% in each of the two remaining years.  The agreement also includes improvements in language and clarity. “We believe this agreement, the first between the Regional District and CUPE, provides competitive wages for our employees, while being sensitive to taxpayers and is consistent with local government labour agreements in our area.  It also ensures continued delivery of services for residents across the region and is within the five year financial plan approved by the Regional Board earlier this year," says Board Chair, Robert Hobson. CUPE Local 338 Vice-President, Scott Bruce says the first round of bargaining has been a positive experience. "Given the current economic climate we feel that we have achieved a fair and reasonable agreement for our members. We look forward to continuing to build a good working relationship with management and to providing our community with quality public services,” says Bruce. The Regional District unit of CUPE Local 338 has 95 full-time and part-time members.