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BURNABY – Burnaby civic workers voted overwhelmingly today to accept the tentative agreements recommended by their bargaining committee. The agreements were reached in direct talks between representatives of the City of Burnaby, the Burnaby Public Library Board and CUPE 23.

The deals include many improvements that were identified as priorities by the 2,000 public employees of Burnaby – such as pay equity gains for library workers, trades adjustments and job evaluation.
 
“The vote shows our members are happy with this settlement,” says Rick Kotar, CUPE 23 president. “We set out to make headway on important issues such as library pay equity and adjustments for the trades and that has been accomplished.”
 
“I give credit to our employer, who was willing to work through issues in a respectful, competent and professional manner and our members for their strength and solidarity,” says Kotar. “Now we’re going to be able to move ahead to continue delivering the high quality public services Burnaby is so well known for.”
 
The settlement shares the same wage and term as the deals reached recently in Richmond and Delta with CUPE Locals 394, 718 and 454, that is a 17.5 per cent wage increase (18.76 per cent compounded) over a five-year term.
 
“Direct face-to-face talks with our employer were key to this settlement,” says Kotar. “Burnaby listened to our issues and concerns and we listened to theirs and we both did not let Vancouver or the GVRD Labour Relations Bureau get in the way of issues that are important to us and our community.”
 
Bureau representatives were present in the room during the final direct talks, but only as observers.
 
Burnaby City Council is scheduled to vote on ratification at its regular meeting Tuesday, August 7th, 2007. 
 
List of settlement details

Contact:  Rick Kotar, CUPE 23 president, 604-298-0200
Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, 778-229-0258