HOPE – CUPE 458 members have reached a new collective agreement with the Fraser Valley Regional District.
The workers at Hope District Recreation and Cultural Services (HDRCS) have ratified a four-year agreement retroactive to January 1, 2008. The contract will expire on December 31, 2011. The new deal includes a three-per-cent wage increase in each year of the contract and an increase in travel allowances and group life insurance.
CUPE 458 president Louise Piper praised the Local’s bargaining team. “We had a brand new committee with young workers and they wrapped this up in four days. They did really well.”
CUPE 458 and the District have agreed to work together to develop whistleblower protection language. The committee’s goal is to protect staff from retribution when they report wrongdoing on issues such as conflict of interest.
CUPE 458 members working for the District of Hope include facility operators, custodians, lifeguards, fitness instructors and swimming instructors for pools in the District of Hope and Boston Bar as well as clerical support, childcare, programming and many more public services.
CUPE 458 members ratified the agreement on March 21 and were notified on April 9 by the employer that they had Board approval.
