WHITE ROCK, BC – CUPE workers ended their month-long job action, ratifying a new four-year collective agreement.
CUPE 402-01 President Mike Guraliuk said that CUPE members stood together and, in taking historic strike action, made it clear to their employer that they were serious about the issues on the bargaining table.
“We made some important gains but CUPE also moved significantly and we were very flexible on finding common ground. We understood that job action is hard on White Rock residents. We were encouraged that the City came back to the table yesterday ready to address some key concerns,” said Guraliuk.
Highlights of the ratified agreement include:
- Increase to 11% from 8% for pay in lieu of health benefits for part-time and casual employees;
- On long-term disability - the City will provide required information to the union to allow a union-administered and employee-paid plan to be put in place;
- Other improvements include: removing the age limit of 19 for orthotics coverage, increasing Dirty Pay to $0.85 per hour from $0.75; and a vacation pay adjustment on actual employee earnings where they exceed the regular annual pay;
- Wages and Term mirror the Metro Vancouver regional settlements. The agreement runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015. On January 1 of each year the wage increases will be: 2012 - 1.25%; 2013 – 1.75%; 2014 – 1.75%; 2015 – 2%.
Guraliuk said the union is disappointed that they were not able to address the need for clear hours of work for all employees, but that this will be a priority in the next round of bargaining.
CUPE 402-01 represents 100 City of White Rock workers.