The City of Cranbrook and members of CUPE Local 2090 have ratified a five-year collective agreement.
The city ratified the agreement by resolution of council on Monday, May 27, 2013, and CUPE 2090 held a ratification vote on the agreement on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The five-year agreement runs until Feb. 28, 2017, and is retroactive from March 1, 2012.
The settlement includes negotiated increase to wages on March 1 of each year from 2012 to 2016 of 2 per cent, 2 per cent, 2 per cent, 2.2 per cent and 2.3 per cent.
"I would like to thank city staff and CUPE for the very professional way they undertook negotiations," said Mayor Wayne Stetski. "Reaching a five-year agreement ensures stability for the provision of quality services for our citizens, which is always a priority for council."
The agreement also makes minor improvements to benefits and introduces improved language and programs to assist with the overall improvements of city operations and effectiveness of human resources.
"Long term agreements are all about building relationships that work for our membership and for the citizens of Cranbrook," said CUPE Local 2090 President Mike Capuano. "The vast majority of our members live in this city and we always keep that in mind when coming to a fair and reasonable settlement."
CUPE 2090 represents approximately 150 inside and outside workers who provide public services including road maintenance, garbage collection, water and wastewater operations, parks and recreation services, bylaw services, planning services, engineering services, RCMP support, and administrative services at city hall and other municipal facilities.