Deal made with early years, K-12 support employees
Courtenay, B.C., early years and K-12 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 439, reached a tentative agreement with Comox Valley Schools District #71 the week of June 3.
“Although under enormous stress with the weight of the membership on our shoulders, our bargaining committee is confident that we achieved the best agreement we could,” said Denise Bullock CUPE 439 president. “With the gains we’ve made, we hope our members will feel more respected and valued.”
The provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 president’s council in September 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. Ratification is expected to be completed by the end of June, said CUPE.
CUPE 439 represents about 600 early years and K-12 workers in the Comox Valley including trades, IT, custodians, library clerks, education assistants, program workers, support workers, administrative assistants, and distributed learning clerks.
