/
/
/
/
/
Patience brings reward in Delta

Patience brings reward in Delta

DELTA—After ten months of bargaining, CUPE 454 members at the Delta Museum and Archives, a society that relies solely on grants and donations for operating costs, have a new collective agreement that includes wage increases and benefit improvements.

“The agreement came about in part by the hard work of the bargaining committee and their ability to think on the fly and think critically,” says bargaining committee member and 454 executive member Jordana Kerry. “We really did have an excellent group.”

The settlement includes wage increases of 1.5% effective January 1, 2010 and a 1% effective January 1, 2011. Other provisions include a market adjustment to a grossly undervalued position, recognition in the MOA of a pension plan, vacation improvement, an employee-driven Accumulated Time Off provision, and a benefits plan that shares the cost with the employer for medical, Extended Health Benefits, dental, and Group Life insurance.

“We brought our lowest pay rate up significantly,” says Kerry. “It’s a start.”

Kerry says that the employer was willing to look at a Flexible Benefits plan but the bargaining committee rejected the cafeteria-style option in favour of a group insurance plan.

“This workplace has never had any medical or dental benefits and now we have MSP, Group Life insurance, Extended Health Benefits, and a dental plan – all shared 50/50 with the employer,” says Kerry. “This was a pretty significant leap for us.”

A new provision of the agreement pays workers sick leave during the probationary period. If a worker quits or doesn’t make the probationary period, the money for the sick days is deducted from their final cheque. The provision means that workers can stay home if they’re ill without fear of losing pay. Kerry notes that that’s especially important in a small organization.

Kerry says it’s important to do your homework and to know what your benefits package is going to cost. Besides bringing a calculator to bargaining, you need to bring your patience. “Bargaining takes a long time. It’s important that everybody gets time to read and think,” says Kerry.

CUPE 454 has three collective agreements for three different worksites that include the Corporation of Delta, Delta Police and six members at the Delta Museum and Archives. The agreement was ratified by employees last Thursday and is awaiting employer ratification.

“I would like to recognize the whole bargaining committee for their contribution,” says CUPE 454 president John Gibson. “They held strong from the start, and though it took time, in the end they achieved what they set out to do.”

Flex benefits fact sheet.

cope491
Share this

Latest News

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

February 22, 2024
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life…
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life...

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

February 15, 2024
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage…
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage...

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

February 13, 2024
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing…
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing...