No concessions made in ‘positive’ talks: CUPE
Mutual respect at the bargaining table and a marathon session lasting until 3 am culminated in a tentative agreement for Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 2450 K-12 support workers on June 6.
“Bargaining was really positive,” said Kim Reich, CUPE 2450 bargaining chair. “We certainly had our agenda and we were able to attain some good gains for members, without any concessions.”
CUPE, Local 2450 and School District 10 (Arrow Lakes) began bargaining in May.
Funds for local tables negotiated last July as part of the provincial framework agreement (PFA), helped the bargaining process, according to Reich.
The K-12 PFA was approved by the K-12 president’s council in September and forms part of the tentative agreement. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial agreement will be in effect from July 1 to June 30, 2022, said the union.
Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties, expected to be completed by the end of June.
CUPE 2450 represents 69 K-12 support workers in Burton, Edgewood, Nakusp and New Denver in School District 10 (Arrow Lakes), all in B.C. Members include education assistants, bus drivers, clerical, custodians, trades and StrongStart workers who provide services to assist students in the Arrow Lakes district.
