April 20 2021
Vancouver City Council has ratified the terms of a new collective agreement covering outside workers represented by CUPE Local 1004. Union members voted to accept the settlement last week.
The new collective agreement covers 1,650 employees who perform outside labour and trades work in Engineering Services, Vancouver Park Board, and Mountain View Cemetery. The term is three years, beginning January 1, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.
Impacts from COVID-19
Bargaining for this renewal began in September of 2019 and was suspended for a significant period of time while the City focused on its COVID-19 response and adapting to the financial impacts of the pandemic. Measures implemented by the City included an unpaid furlough program for all non-union staff and the temporary layoff of nearly 1,700 unionized employees across the City, the Park Board, and at the Vancouver Public Library.
Wage increases over three years
The settlement provides for wage increases totalling six per cent over the three years of the contract (2% on October 1, 2020; 2% on January 1, 2021; 2% on January 1, 2022).
“This was a long, complicated round of bargaining,” said Paul Mochrie, City Manager. “The pandemic fundamentally altered the financial position of the City and we needed to understand that impact, account for it, and work with CUPE 1004 to find an outcome that would be mutually acceptable.”
Bargaining continues with unions representing the balance of the City’s workforce, including inside workers and firefighters.
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