Friday, January 14, 2011

City of Quesnel reaches agreement with employees at local Recreation Center

The City of Quesnel is pleased to announce it has ratified a contract agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1050-01, which represents approximately 40 City employees. These employees work at the Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre and have a different collective bargaining agreement from that of the rest of the City’s unionized workforce.

City and CUPE bargaining teams met on Nov. 8, 9 and 10 and again on Dec. 21 to reach a tentative agreement. That agreement was endorsed by the union membership on Jan. 7 and by City Council on Jan. 10.

The agreement covers a three-year term, retroactive to June 8 2010. The unionized employees will receive a zero per cent increase in year one, followed by a 1.5 per cent increase in year two and a two per cent increase in year three. Full-time employees will receive a $1,000 lump sum payment in the next month in lieu of any increase in pay for the first year, with part-time employees receiving a prorated amount.

“We have outstanding employees at the Arts and Recreation Centre who provide quality services to support a wide range of programming for our residents,” said Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “Our community is facing economic challenges, and this contract recognizes those economic realities. I’m pleased that the bargaining teams were able to recommend a settlement that was acceptable to all.”

“We’re pleased we’ve reached this agreement,” said Christi McKee-Poitras, CUPE Local 1050 and 1050-01 president. “We look forward to a positive working relationship. Our members provide quality services and will continue to do so.”

The City reached a similar agreement with CUPE Local 1050 employees in September 2010.

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