First collective agreement must be delivered within 12 months: union
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 1004, welcomed nine new members to the union on Oct. 28, all of whom are employed by the Bowen Island Municipality in B.C.
The new members — who are all outdoor workers — will be represented by their own unit of CUPE, Local 1004, also known as the Vancouver Civic Employees Union, says the union.
The British Columbia Labour Relations Board granted the application for certification on Oct. 23, says CUPE.
The workers include employees of the roads, public works, parks and environment departments of the island municipality, which can be reached by a 20-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver, says the union.
“Our members take comfort in the representation that CUPE gives us, and look forward to getting our first collective agreement, where everything is in writing and there are no uncertainties,” says Brad MacDonald, an organizer, who works in the municipality’s roads department.
CUPE will negotiate the first collective agreement on behalf of the workers, which needs to be delivered within the next 12 months, says the union.
The municipality serves a population of about 3,600.
CUPE, Local 1004 represents more than 3,500 workers including outside workers for the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Parks Board, as well as employees of the Portland Hotel Society and Pacific National Exhibition.
