SWIFT CURRENT, SK – Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 183 voted 85 per cent in favour of ratifying an agreement with the City of Swift Current on Tuesday, September 29.
The union representing 98 full time and 80 seasonal, temporary, and part time city employees has agreed to a six-year deal that would see an average pay increase of 8.3 per cent in the first year, zero per cent in the following three years, and two per cent in the final two years of the deal. The agreement would expire in December 2020.
Darryl Budvarson, president of the local, says “both sides were committed to reaching a fair deal.” Budvarson says he is pleased with the proposed implementation of the Hay Group job evaluation framework, which will allow some members to receive pay increases throughout the contract if they choose to upgrade their qualifications.
The agreement would also see earlier access to vacation time, increased provisions for seasonal and temporary employees, and improved language for union business, allowing CUPE 183 more opportunity to represent its members.
Swift Current city council is set to vote on the agreement on October 13.
