Cariboo RD and BCGEU ratify new collective agreement

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District and the BC General and Service Employees’ Union have ratified a new collective agreement, which will see a 12.5% wage increase over a three-year term. BCGEU staff ratified the agreement on Wednesday, July 3. This puts an end to the strike by BCGEU members, which lasted for over seven weeks.

The 12.5% wage increase will occur as follows:

• 5% as of November 1, 2023 (retroactive, except for time spent on strike)
• 4% as of November 1, 2024
• 3.5% as of November 1, 2025

The new Collective Agreement also changes language covering on-call pay rates and eligibility, overtime for call-in work, clarifications for compassionate care leave eligibility, and a health and wellness expense allowance. 

As of today (July 4), all employees will return to work, and regional district services will begin to resume. Libraries are set to reopen to full service beginning on Tuesday, July 9.

Gibraltar Mine strike over!

Courtesy of UNIFOR:

Significant wage increases and equity measures are key features of a three-year collective agreement ratified this evening by Unifor Local 3018.

“Unifor members in Williams Lake have successfully negotiated a collective agreement that reflects their important contribution to the success of Taseko,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “The bargaining committee showed great leadership in demanding new equity practices. The members’ solid support for their committee during this 18-day strike was critical to being successful.”

The contract increases wages 13% over three years. It introduces a Women’s Advocate in the workplace to champion equity and recognizes the federal labour code’s leave for Indigenous practices. Local 3018 was also successful at adding clarity and fairness to the drug testing incident procedure as well as additional transparency during the discipline process.

“Gibraltar mine is an economic powerhouse in the region, and the community will realize benefits from this collective agreement for years to come,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

Taseko owns and operates the Gibraltar copper-molybdenum mine. It is the second largest open-pit copper mine in Canada and the largest employer in the Cariboo region. 

Local 3018 represents 550 workers at the copper mine north of Williams Lake in British Columbia.

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

Collective agreement ratified for CUPE 1050 in Quesnel

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

The City of Quesnel is pleased to announce that a new three-year collective agreement has been ratified with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1050, covering Public Works, Community Services, City Hall, and RCMP Detachment employees.

The new agreement is effective June 8, 2024, expiring on June 7, 2027. The wage increase over three years is 5%, 4.5%, and 4%.

“Council appreciates the continued efforts of the City’s management team and the union’s bargaining team to foster a positive relationship, which resulted in a respectful and successful bargaining process over the past few weeks,” said Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull. “Council values the outstanding work of our unionized workers who deliver quality services to our community.”

“I am delighted that we've reached an agreement and collaborated with the City of Quesnel to establish a fair contract for our dedicated employees, who are essential to keeping our city running smoothly. Thanks to everyone on both sides of the bargaining team for their hard work in achieving this successful outcome,” stated CUPE Local 1050 President, Peter Bond.

The collective agreement for CUPE 1050-01 still remains to be negotiated. This covers employees at the Arts and Recreation Centre.