On May 25, the City of Sainte-Julie unions held a half-day informational strike.
At a general meeting held June 30, the white collar and blue collar employees of the City of Sainte-Julie voted by 89 per cent to endorse their new collective agreement. The approximately 125 members of CUPE Local 1690 had been without a contract since December 31, 2008. They signed for a period of six years, from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2014.
“We have now established a solid foundation for good working relations and effective public services until 2015. The key was the outstanding participation and solidarity of our members. Thanks to their exceptional dedication, we managed to correct an imbalance of several years between the various groups of participants in the pension plan. At the same time, with the introduction of new financing mechanisms between members and employers, we have ensured the continuation of the plan,” said Stéphane Bologna, President of the Syndicat des employés municipaux de Sainte-Julie.
The agreement provides wage increases of 16.5 per cent over six years. Also, in 2011, the white-collar workers’ schedule will be adjusted to 4.5 days (Monday morning to Friday afternoon) from late May to late September. As this adjustment is based on the rearrangement of hours worked, the measure will not cost the city anything. Starting in 2014, it will apply year round.
Beginning in 2011, a new municipal client service will be offered Friday afternoon and evenings for citizens of the municipality.
CUPE Local 1690 represents the white collar and blue collar employees of the City of Sainte-Julie, on the South Shore of Montreal, and its school crossing guards.
