SICAMOUS - CUPE Local 1908 members in the District of Sicamous have ratified a collective agreement.

CUPE 1908 President Kevin Hansen said that the agreement will provide certainty for Sicamous residents and businesses and for the CUPE members who provide services. Hansen said the union was pleased that they achieved wage increases in each year, as well as negotiating language that addresses a long-standing unfair distribution of overtime and improves members’ access to flexible working hours.

CUPE National Representative Harry Nott said that while the union is pleased with the deal, the process was very difficult. “The union was very up-front about our issues and put a good deal of energy into working with the employer to identify potential cost savings. Despite this, the employer required mediation assistance from the Labour Relations Board in order to arrive at a settlement,” said Nott. 

The six-year agreement contains wage increases in each year, retroactive to the expiry of the previous agreement on March 31, 2012. The union achieved a 1 percent increase in the first year, with a 2 percent wage increase in each of the last five years of the agreement.

Hansen said that the agreement contains important benefit improvements, in the areas of vision care, and Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance.

“We also achieved improvements that are important to members in the areas of compassionate leave, technological change, educational allowances, contracting out and protection for part-time and temporary staff,” said Hansen.

CUPE 1908 represents members in the North Okanagan region including workers in the District of Sicamous who provide a wide range of services to residents and businesses. 

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