CUPE 2052, K-12 support workers in Terrance, Kitimat, Kitwanga, Hazelton and Stewart BC reached a tentative agreement on May 31 following one week plus one day of bargaining. The local held five ratification meetings throughout the region and their collective agreement ratification was completed by members on June 20. Members voted for the agreement in good numbers.

“Bargaining was amicable, with mutual respect on both sides,” said CUPE 2052 President Monica Brady. “Our bargaining team was very diverse with member representation for most positions.”

The tentative agreement also incorporates the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school district Boards of Trustees, the collective agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in early July.

CUPE 2052 members, who provide a wide variety of services that support students, include Education Assistants, Youth Care Workers, Indigenous Support Workers, Custodians, Trades, Clerical, Maintenance, IT, Administrative Support and Grounds Workers. They provide K-12 support service in Terrace, Kitimat, Kitwanga, Hazelton and Stewart in SD82 (Coast Mountains).

To find out more about CUPE members working in K-12, visit bcschools.cupe.ca