Representatives of the union representing firefighters with the Municipality of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines in the Lower Laurentians region have signed a new collective agreement on December 7.
The thirty or so firefighters, who include four permanent employees and a full-time fire prevention officer, had been without a contract since December 31, 2021.
The five-year contract, which runs from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2026, calls for wage catch-up of 12% for 2022, an increase of 2.25% for 2023 and 2024, and a minimum of 2% for the last two years. The parties also negotiated a clause ensuring parity with white- and blue-collar workers.
The agreement includes a substantial improvement to vacation periods, sick days, union leave and the addition of a job security clause in the event of an organizational change. Additionally, a duty premium clause will be increased by between 3% and 4% annually for 2023 to 2026.
Only three meetings were needed for the parties to arrive at a tentative agreement last October. On November 21, members voted 91% in favor of accepting the tentative agreement at a union meeting.
“The signing of this new collective agreement shows that respectful working relations can produce results satisfactory to both parties,” says CUPE union representative Maxime Valade.