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New collective agreement for CUPE workers in Battleford

Jul 19, 2016 | 5:00 PM

Municipal workers in Battleford have a new two-year collective agreement.

At the Battleford Town Council Meeting on Monday, July 18, council approved the agreement after workers with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3003 voted unanimously in favour of ratifying.

The previous collective agreement expired December 31, 2015. The new tentative agreement had been reached with CUPE over June 21 and 22, though it needed council approval and union ratification before being implemented.

Included in the agreement is enhanced language to improve safety, reflect legislation and human rights. Staff can also go to summer hours on a rotational basis and there is now support for family leave and expanded bereavement for non-related people living with the family.

The total increase of the contract is less than $54,000 in both years. There is a three per cent increase in the first and second years.

In addition, after 15 years of service an employee will receive $600 and after 30 years they will receive $1,200. Also all employees who remain past their probation will receive a town bunny hug.

Town Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) John Enns-Wind requested a two or four-year agreement instead of three years used in previous agreements. He said this was done because his contract with the town is three years and he didn’t want a new CAO to have to immediately begin negotiating a new agreement if he didn’t return after his own contract.

 

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