WINNIPEG The Library Technicians in the Seven Oaks School Division have a new contract that the union says is going to give everyone a healthy increase in important benefits.
Members of CUPE Local 2938 voted to accept an offer that was made last week. The settlement includes wage increases of 3% a year for the next three years. They also increased their sick leave to a maximum of 120 days per year.
Important to the members, were the top up maternity/parental and adoptive leave to 90% of gross income, which will include the Employment Insurance benefit. This is the first for non-teaching staff in the province. They will also get a health care benefit package, into which the Division agreed to put in up to $50.00 per member towards a benefit package.
According to Steve Edwards, CUPE National Representative, the new collective agreement is very significant because it is a break-through in providing benefits to support workers that, up to now, only the teachers could receive.
Their last contract expired at the end of 2003.
The eight Library Technicians provide a range of specialized supports to the Divisions libraries.
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The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canadas largest union representing more than a half-million women and men. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 24,000 members working in health care facilities, school divisions, municipal services, social services, child care centres, public utilities, libraries and family emergency services. About 4,000 of these members work in 25 of Manitobas school divisions.
For information, contact:
Steve Edwards, CUPE National Representative 942-0343 / cell. 771-2534
Gale Storoszczuk, CUPE Local 2938 President 582-4867 / 632-6314
Dennis Lewycky, CUPE Communications 942-0343 / cell. 223-6805