Includes wage increases, signing bonuses: CUPE
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 4784 — representing 270 education-support staff in Good Spirit School Division in Saskatchewan — voted to ratify a new three-year contract on June 27.
“School divisions across Saskatchewan have been put in a tough spot because of the lack of increased provincial education funding despite increased enrollment. Nonetheless, we were able to negotiate a reasonable agreement that includes wage increases for our members. We’re pleased with that,” said Karla Sastaunik, CUPE local president.
The agreement includes a signing bonus of maximum $360 dollars or $30 per month for workers who have worked 75 per cent of the available hours for 2017 and 2018, a 1.5 per cent wage increase for 2018 and 2019 and a 1.75 per cent increase for 2019 and 2020, said the union.
CUPE also achieved parity with the GSTA (Good Spirit Teachers Association) LINC agreement for extracurricular and noon-hour supervision, said the union.
Bargaining began in November 2017 under the provincial government’s attempted 3.5 per cent public sector wage mandate drop, according to CUPE.