About 900 unionized workers at the city of Coquitlam have a new contract.
The collective agreement with CUPE Local 386, which was announced by the municipality today (Thursday), sees wages rise 9% over the next five years:
• 1.5% in 2016;
• 1.5% in 2017;
• 2% in 2018;
• 2% in 2019;
• and 2% in 2020.
Union members voted 88% on May 6 to ratify the deal, which applies to both inside and outside staff; it also extends to excluded staff and council.
CUPE Local 386 president Ken Landgraff was not immediately available for comment.
The settlement sets the stage as neighbouring Port Coquitlam and Port Moody also negotiate for new collective agreements for their unionized employees. Those contracts ended Dec. 31, 2015.
Gary Goff, president of CUPE Local 498, which represents PoCo union workers, said his bargaining committee was in mediation with the employer last week; it returns to the table May 31.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
