BURNABY—Approximately 400 members of CUPE 7000 who work for SkyTrain, classified as Trades or Technicians, will receive a 2-per-cent trades rate increase retroactive to September 1, thanks to an arbitration process negotiated as part of the Local’s last collective agreement in 2019.
The process concluded on August 16 with arbitrator Vince Ready issuing his decision on September 17.
“We are happy that Mr. Ready has awarded this trades rate increase. We have been working on this issue for a long time, so it’s good to see our members’ work getting the respect it deserves,” said CUPE 7000 President Tony Rebelo.
“We would like to thank the members who served as key witnesses for this arbitration—Bruce Butler, Phil Riviere and Don Abbott—as well as the bargaining committee and CUPE National staff who worked so hard to have this included in the contract.”
Rebelo said the ruling is a reminder of the power of union solidarity during bargaining.
“Our members stood strong in the face of a looming strike,” he said. “Their support was overwhelming and pushed us to reach this deal.”
