Earlier this week, the 72 members of CUPE Local One ratified a four-year collective agreement that includes two per cent wage increases in each year of the contract. With some major concessions presented to the union, the committee was able to come to an agreement without any take-aways after three weeks of bargaining. The deal comes six weeks prior to the expiration of the existing contract.
The contract is the second for the members since Cogeco Data Services purchased the federally regulated division from Toronto Hydro Telecom. In addition to warehouse and clerical work, the unit also performs data backup and technical installations.
The union also improved representation for the members, given the significant increase in membership since the first collective agreement was signed four years ago. Local One also secured representation rights for employees in the event Cogeco Data Services expands into Barrie, as it is expected to do.
Local One also bucked the trend towards defined contribution retirement plans, with the union and employer agreeing to consider shifting from just such a plan to the Multi-Sector Pension Plan operated jointly by CUPE and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
