SPALLUMCHEEN, BC – Civic workers in the Township of Spallumcheen are the first to settle in the area’s first coordinated bargaining effort. The Township of Spallumcheen workers are part of CUPE Local 2709. They have set a very respectable standard including an innovative way to restore retiree benefits, secure work equipment allowances, and extended health benefit coverage.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of this round of bargaining,” says CUPE National representative and chief negotiator Tina Meadows. “We set goals that would bring the Township forward to equipping their workers with the tools every growing community needs, and they were up for the challenge – we commend them for that.”
Meadows is particularly proud of the innovative method agreed to address the erosion of retiree benefits that so many retired workers face due to higher costs for medicine, health and dental services combined with reduced levels of basic medical coverage. Both CUPE 2709 members and the Township agreed to open up the sick day bank to retirees who need it for reimbursement of benefits costs.
The township workers will now finally have coveralls paid for by the employer, long term disability benefit increased, new extended health benefits and hearing aids covered.
The three-year agreement was ratified last week by the workers and last night by Township of Spallumcheen Mayor and Council and includes a 2.75 per cent, 2.75per cent and 3 per cent wage increase.
Bargaining is continuing this month with the City of Armstrong and the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Parks and Recreations Commission workers, whose contracts expired December 31, 2006. They hope to follow the lead that the Township of Spallumcheen has set.
“Our hope is that all communities in the North Okanagan will continue to seek compensation and working condition improvements that properly respect the needs of the workers and communities for whom they provide these services,” says Meadows.
CUPE 2709 represents over 30 civic workers that work for the City of Armstrong, Township of Spallumcheen and Armstrong-Spallumcheen Parks & Recreation Commission.
For more information, please contact:
Tina Meadows
CUPE National Representative
cell: (604)802-6341
Diane Kalen
Communications Representative
(604)291-1940