City and union ratify new contract

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Sep 25, 2014 at 6:00 AM
A new deal has been inked between the City of Vernon and unionized workers. The collective agreement between the city and CUPE local 626 was ratified Wednesday after union members voted 88 per cent in favour of the conditions in the contract. “The union membership looks forward to working with the city to supply the best service possible to the residents of Vernon and area in the years ahead,” said Ken Juniper, CUPE 626 president. The term of the agreement is five years, from Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2018. The 244 city employees will see incremental wage increases, which total 8.5 per cent, staggered through the five-year term. "This agreement provides an excellent balance between the need for fair compensation for the CUPE members and their families and the need for the public to have certainty and long-term control of service-delivery costs to the community,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky.