A tentative deal is in place between the Town of Gibsons and its workers represented by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU).
The four-year deal includes wage increases of one per cent (2013), 1.5 per cent (2014) and 1.75 per cent (2015 and 2016). The parties also negotiated for an operator-in-training program to cross-train eligible employees in water and waste water operations, something the Town's chief administrative officer Mani Machado said was a key component of the deal.
"This could benefit the Town for many years," said Machado as he updated council at its committee of the whole meeting on July 23. "As people retire it is critical that other employees are trained and can continue the operations for the benefit of the community."
Both the Town and the union are recommending that the deal be accepted pending a ratification vote by the membership. That vote was to have taken place on Tuesday, but in an email to Coast Reporter Wednesday morning, BCGEU communications officer Karen Tankard said the union reps decided to extend the vote.
Tankard said the vote will close next Tuesday, July 30, and the ballots will be counted on July 31.
"The extension means members currently on vacation will have the chance to vote," she said.
