Workers for the Sechelt Public Library, represented by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 391, ratified a new collective agreement after three days of negotiations, CUPE announced Tuesday.
“It was a productive round of negotiations, and we are thankful that the employer was receptive to improved conditions for casual workers,” said Aliza Nevarie, CUPE 391 president.
The addition of sick leave for casual workers was an important gain, Nevarie said.
“Libraries across B.C. are using auxiliary and casual staff in place of hiring regular workers in order to save money at the expense of those workers and their families,” Nevarie said. “To their credit, the Sechelt library has taken important steps towards reversing this trend within their workplace.”
Other key elements of the settlement, according to CUPE, include increases to daily guaranteed hours, a Job Evaluation Plan with associated special wage adjustments, a plan to collaborate on a new Violence in the Workplace Policy, and new language to support paid special leave for all employees.
The new agreement will span four years and features a total cumulative wage increase of 8.7 per cent, CUPE said.
