The 78 white- and blue-collar workers with the Town of Saint-Colomban in the Laurentian Region have just signed a new collective agreement. The previous contract expired on December 31, 2018.

Last November 4, the members voted in favour of the tentative agreement reached between the town and the union a few weeks previously.

The five-year contract, which runs from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023, levels the playing field for all employees, regardless of status.

Various improvements dealing, in particular, with leave, vacation and recognition of seniority for supernumerary workers and new premiums were negotiated. In addition, the town will add another three unionized positions.

“Negotiations took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and we’re quite satisfied with the results achieved for our members. We’re convinced all of these changes will make for more harmonious working conditions,” said Maryse Collin and Luc Gingras, respectively the President and Vice-President of CUPE 3795.

“We really felt that the priority, from the standpoint of the employer and the union, was to improve the working conditions of all of our workers. In my opinion, this explained why so many gains were made,” added CUPE union representative Emmanuelle Bournival.