VICTORIA The unionized employees at the Gorge Vale Golf Club have reached a tentative agreement giving them increases in wages, benefits and a new pension plan, a package of about 12 per cent over the three-year term of the agreement.
This sub-local was committed to and had voted 93 per cent for a strike, said John Burrows, CUPE Local 50 president. They are pleased not to have been forced to disrupt the Payless Open and the many other scheduled summer golfing events.
In addition to the first-time pension plan, the employees won wage increases of 2, 3 and 2 per cent over three years.
“The agreement to a pension plan for our members was a critical component in our efforts to reach a settlement,” Burrows said.
The seasonal and full -time groundskeepers, one foreman and a mechanic are members of CUPE Local 50. Their collective agreement expired on Oct. 31, 2000. Negotiations began on March 15, 2001.
Local 50 also represents the City of Victoria Outside Workers, the Royal Oak Burial Park Workers and the Victoria SPCA Workers.
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Contact: John Burrows, CUPE Local 50 President, (250) 385-6023; Jim Lamb, CUPE National Representative, (250) 384-8048.