NANAIMO – CUPE Local 401 and the City of Nanaimo have reached a new three-year collective agreement. The deal covers about 600 CUPE city workers and includes wage increases of 2% (effective Jan.1, 2014) , 2% (effective Jan.1, 2015) and 1+1% (effective Jan.1 and July 1, 2016). CUPE 401 members voted to ratify the deal yesterday. The workers were without a contract since December 2013.
The new contract includes improvements to benefits, including orthodontic benefits for children and an increase in long-term disability payments. It also includes a new job evaluation plan that will be fully funded starting in the new year and improvements to grievance handling language and the introduction of four-hour shift minimums.
CUPE Local 401 President Blaine Gurrie thanked mediator Grant McArthur for his participation in the final four days of talks before the agreement was reached with the city.
“We originally bargained for a five-year deal and would have preferred a longer agreement, but we’re pleased with the language improvements and the wage package we got,” said Gurrie, adding, “it’s also nice for our members to have a settlement that offers some stability after being without a contract for a year.”
