Striking workers at the Vancouver Art Gallery have voted in favour of a mediated settlement, effectively ending their week-long labour action.
“Our members successfully fought back against a number of concessions, and won several key provisions that will improve the working conditions and compensation of Gallery workers today, and for years to come,” said CUPE 15 President Warren Williams.
Workers walked off the job on February 5 over wages and Gallery managers’ attempts to eliminate long-standing scheduling rights. Through mediation the parties were able to agree on a four-year agreement that excludes the Gallery’s proposed concession on scheduling, provides retroactive wage increases of 1.5 percent in each of 2017 and 2018, and includes future wage adjustments of 1.75 percent in 2019 and 2.0 percent in 2020.
“The cumulative effect of these wage increases will see Gallery workers’ paycheques increase by 4.75 percent in 2019, and a further 2 percent next year,” said Williams. “We are pleased the Gallery agreed to retroactivity for the 2017 and 2018 increases and removed their remaining concession.”
CUPE 15 represents more than 7,000 municipal, community social service, education and not-for-profit workers in Vancouver, including more than 190 unionized workers at the Vancouver Art Gallery.