City Council and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1015 have reached a new three-year collective agreement. The most recent agreement expired last December, and this agreement will be in place until December 2021.
Highlights of the agreement include an annual two per cent cost-of-living increase for union employees. The agreement also stipulates an annual 2% increase to the shift differential premium, an annual 2% increase to the lead hand premium and the addition of Easter Monday as a public holiday for all employees.
Paul Levy, President, CUPE Local 1015, commended both sides for a productive and respectful
negotiating process. Over the five days of discussion, he says that they were able to find a lot of common ground and work through many items on the list.
“We were continually able to find common ground as we worked through a long list of terms. Clear and candid communication throughout the negotiations allowed us to produce a fair and equitable agreement that met the needs of the City of Lloydminster and the members of CUPE Local 1015,” says Levy.
Councillor Stephanie Brown Munro was also pleased with the agreement. She praises members of both parties during the negotiations for what she calls a smooth process.
“I don’t think there was anything that they really had to deliberate on for a long period of time. I don’t think that with the cost of living going up that the two per cent isn’t really outrageous in any way, shape or form,” says Brown Munro.
Deputy Mayor Michael Diachuk also commended the negotiation process. The agreement was reached with a union representing 265 City of Lloydminster employees. Diachuk says the agreement is solid, equitable, and allows the city to continue providing quality services.
“Our municipality aims to attract and retain skilled, dedicated staff while also providing extraordinary service value to our ratepayers; the new agreement helps us to achieve those objectives,” says Diachuk.