The District of Squamish (DOS) and its unionized employees finalized a collective agreement this week that will see four years worth of raises for municipal workers.
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2269 president Jim Allen said the deal provides a 2.5 per cent wage increase for 2004, another 2.5 per cent raise this year, followed by a 3 per cent raise in 2006 and a 3.5 per cent raise in 2007 plus a cost of living increase based on changes in the consumer price index.
CUPE workers voted 89 per cent in favour of the deal at a meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 14). Members of DOS Council ratified the deal Tuesday (Sept. 13).
The new deal replaces the contract that expired on Dec. 31, 2003. This new deal expires Dec. 31, 2007.
One of the biggest changes the agreement brings is in hours of work for DOS employees. The scheduling window for employees in Parks, Information Technology and Victim Services was expanded to improve customer service.
The District agreed to do a 12-month trial for selected employees to work five days in week one and four days in week two.The trial is not expected to have a negative effect on customer service and operations without adding any new costs to the DOS.According to a news release from the DOS, the increases in wage and benefits more closely align the DOS with other municipal collective agreements and will support employee attraction and retention.
"Council is happy with the end result," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. "We now have a progressive collective agreement that is good for our employees and good for our customers."
"The membership is happy with it, thus the 90 per cent vote in favour," said Allen.
The DOS reports it has about 170 unionized employees represented by CUPE but Allen believes the number is closer to 140."There are many casual employees and they don't drop them off the list," said Allen.
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