QUESNEL After only three days of bargaining last week, the City of Quesnel and its CUPE Local 1050 municipal workers have a new labour agreement that honours the joint promise of improved labour relations made in October 2004. Both parties ratified the agreement last night.
This was a rewarding round of bargaining for everyone, says Quesnel City Manager, Charles Hamilton. We sought and achieved a longer term contract for stability, as well as flexibility in the areas of shifts and seasonal benefits. City workers also had their concerns addressed.
CUPE Local 1050 attained improved benefits for all city workers, including a new Blue Cross prescription card, a cost shared wellness program for city workers who elect to participate, and an increase in sick day and illness (for a family member) allotments.
The 5-year contract also includes wage increases of 3 percent in each of the first three years, 2½ percent in the fourth year, and 4 percent in the fifth year of the contract.
In my eyes, it was a model round of bargaining, says Dan Weiman, CUPE Local 1050 President. We listened hard to the concerns of the city and we felt that the city listened and responded to our concerns as well.
New seasonal workers will no longer have benefit coverage while they are not working for the city and flexible shifts for all new winter maintenance postings (snow removal) have been introduced.
We are proud to enjoy such a positive working relationship with our city workers, says Mayor Nate Bello. Ones ability to communicate well is tested during labour negotiations. This round proves that we share a high level of understanding with our city workers which is ultimately beneficial for our whole community.
This round of negotiations left no outstanding grievances between the two parties.
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For more information, please contact:
Charles Hamilton, Quesnel City Manager, (250) 992-2111
Dan Weiman, CUPE Local 1050 President, (250) 991-9195
Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, (604) 291-1940