Important gains made for precarious workers: CUPE
Workers for the Sechelt Public Library, in Sechelt, B.C., represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 391, ratified their new collective agreement on Dec. 11.
After three days of collaborative negotiations, union and library representatives were able to reach a positive agreement that addresses key issues for precarious workers.
“The addition of sick leave for casual workers, a right that should be universal for all workers, will make a huge difference for our members and their families,” said Aliza Nevarie, CUPE 391 president.
Casual and auxiliary workers commonly have fewer rights and work for lower wages than regular employees, said the union.
“Libraries across B.C. are using auxiliary and casual staff in place of hiring regular workers in order to save money at the expense of those workers and their families”, said Nevarie. “To their credit, the Sechelt Library has taken important steps towards reversing this trend within their workplace.”
Other key elements of the settlement include increases to daily guaranteed hours, a job evaluation plan with associated special wage adjustments, a plan to collaborate on a new violence-in-the-workplace policy and new language to support paid special-leave for all employees. The new agreement will span four years and features a total cumulative wage increase of 8.7 per cent, said the union.
