Clearwater town council and the District’s union members have ratified a memorandum of agreement between District of Clearwater and CUPE Local 900.
The three year agreement covers from January 2017 to December 2019 and includes wage increases of 1.0 per cent, 1.5 per cent, and 1.5 per cent respectively per year; the contract also includes minor contract refinement.
“We are happy with the productive and cooperative professional working relationship with the District, with the end result being a ratified collective agreement that will ensure good quality public service for the citizens of Clearwater”, stated Rick Alexander, national representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
“Negotiations went very well this past two months, realizing further refinement to a merged agreement which took place in 2012 between the North Thompson Sportsplex and inside/outside workers. The agreement has been ratified ahead of the expiry date, December 2016,” said Leslie Groulx, chief administrative officer, “I believe both parties are satisfied with the outcome of a fair wage structure and improvements to the collective agreement for both the employees and the employer.”
“We are very pleased to have this three year deal complete; this agreement takes into consideration budget constraints, with the employer and staff working to keep a fair agreement for both the District and staff, it is also in line with recent union settlements with our neighbouring jurisdictions,” said Mayor John Harwood. “This process has been very positive from the outset. Our employees provide vital services on a consistent basis to Clearwater’s residents.”
CUPE Local 900 represents approximately 15 full time members (including seasonal workers) who provide a wide variety of municipal services, including but not limited to water and sewer maintenance, cemetery, recreation and administration.