All outstanding bargaining issues addressed: Union
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 358 members at the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) in Duncan, B.C., ratified the recommendations of a B.C. Labour Relations Board (LRB) mediator on Jan. 23.
The mediator issued the recommendations to the CVRD and the union on Jan. 15 after the parties reached an impasse in the mediation process. In order to avoid a work stoppage, both parties agreed to have a mediator issue a report with a recommended settlement, according to CUPE.
"CUPE 358's bargaining committee is very pleased that members accepted these recommendations," said Ian McLean, CUPE national representative and lead negotiator. "While the recommendations didn't capture all of the issues we were seeking, we believe they are fair and reasonable and in line with other municipal settlements in the region."
Details of the agreement will not be released until both parties have had the opportunity to review and ratify the recommendations. The agreement will take effect once both parties have ratified, said the union.
McLean said that the mediator's recommendations addressed the outstanding bargaining issues including wages and length of the agreement.
CUPE 358 has six units and represents about 400 local government and private sector workers in the Cowichan Valley in B.C.
