Both sides met nine times prior to reaching deal: CUPE
K-12 support workers — members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 15, reached a tentative agreement on June 5 with the Vancouver School Board — after five months of bargaining.
“Both bargaining teams worked well together and recognized the needs and concerns of our members,” said Warren Williams, CUPE 15 president. “After 20 years, we finally had the opportunity to bargain collectively, with fewer restraints.”
A full and comprehensive review of the current collective agreement was carried out as well as ongoing issues addressed said staff representative for CUPE 15 and lead negotiator Kathie Currie. The two bargaining committees met nine times prior to reaching a tentative agreement, said the union.
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, 2019, to June 30, 2022, said CUPE.
Ratification is expected to be completed by the end of June, said the union.
CUPE 15 represents more than 2,000 K-12 support workers in Vancouver including education assistants, indigenous support workers, clerical, and IT who provide services to assist students in more than 100 schools throughout Vancouver.
