After a week on strike, CUPE 2486 has ratified an agreement with the Lakehead District School Board. The strike by 165 school board workers in Thunder Bay, Ontario and the surrounding area began on March 22.
Wages were a major issue in the dispute. The members of Local 2486 had not had a wage increase in seven years and the employer had tabled a ‘final offer’ of 0%, 0% and 1%.
Instead the agreement provides for a $500 signing bonus, a 2% increase effective September 1 and a 1% increase on January 1, 2000.
The local successfully coordinated its bargaining with OPEIU.