The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) Local 466 have reached an agreement following negotiation over a four-year collective agreement covering Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015.
CEP members ratified the agreement on March 26. The SCRD board approved the terms on April 5 following CEP's endorsement.
"The agreement took five months to reach," said SCRD board chair Garry Nohr in a news release. "Although negotiations can be quite involved, the agreement reflects fairness for the employees who provide a variety of core services that the citizens of the Sunshine Coast rely on."
CEP members will receive general wage increases of 1.25 per cent in 2012, 1.5 per cent in 2013, 1.75 per cent in 2014, and two per cent in 2015.
CEP Local 466 has 224 full-time, part time and casual members.
"Our employees are the backbone to the organization. We are very fortunate to have a solid dedicated team of individuals committed to the best service for Sunshine Coast residents," added SCRD chief administrative officer John France. "This agreement ensures continuity of services to our citizens."
Both parties attribute a respectful working relationship as being crucial to successful negotiations.
"Current trends in public sector collective bargaining posed significant challenges for our members; however, we were able to find a balance that provides modest increases to wages, allowances and benefits while ensuring more flexibility and cost savings," said CEP 466 president Scott Rush."We are pleased that our members can continue to provide excellent service to residents of the Sunshine Coast without interruption."
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