Council approves new collective agreement
January 23, 2013
Mayor Clarke says stable six-year deal creates opportunity for positive change agenda
SYDNEY, NS – Cape Breton Regional Council today approved a six-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 759.
Mayor Cecil Clarke says Council's approval of the agreement begins a period of labour stability that broadens the opportunity for an agenda of change to move forward.
"We are in a stable labour environment that now allows us all to focus on becoming a more efficient and effective municipal government," said Clarke. "I look forward to working with our dedicated employees to reach these goals."
The settlement offers 3 per cent in the past two years and 2.5 per cent in 2012-2016.
The wage offer reflects 3 per cent settlements negotiated with Inside workers in 2010 and 2011. The 2.5 per cent in the following four years reflects the normal bargaining history for this bargaining unit.
In preparation for the agreement, a budget accrual of 3 per cent occurred in 2010-11 and 2.2 per cent in 2011-12 to offset the assumed cost of a new wage settlement. The new agreement will result in an additional cost on the upcoming 2013-14 budget year.
Angus Fleming, Director of Human Resources for the Municipality, provided details of the agreement to Council, noting the negotiations began in June of 2012 and went to conciliation before a tentative agreement was reached on January 9, 2013.
"The tentative agreement will see only minor changes to language based on previous collective agreements," said Fleming. "The new collective agreement will add an air of labour stability, in that it covers six years ending October 31, 2016."
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