CUPE support workers employed by School District 43 were among the last unions to settle with the government under the so-called net zero mandate. But no sooner was the ink dry on the contract ratification this week when CUPE 561 president Dave Ginter began looking ahead to a new round of negotiations.
"Now I'm into serious bargaining next month," promised Ginter, referring to the newly-signed deal that expires June 30. "This was a two-year deal, it's over, now we're back again," he said, acknowledging that union would be seeking wage a increase this time after two years of zero.
He said the local representing about 1,500 workers was one of the last to settle with the BC Public Schools Employers Association because of concerns about training, supervision, mileage and medical benefits. It signed at the last minute for fear that that $7.5 million to hire special education assistants for B.C. schools would be scuttled. Under that agreement, SD43 is expected to get $415,000, including money for extra staffing and training to help with class composition in schools.
However, Ginter said the union local was also satisfied that a lead hand would be hired in the next budget to supervise training and orientation for Special Education Assistants. As well, there were small improvements to mileage paid for travel.
Under the government's so-called Cooperative Gains Mandate, modest wage increases can only be achieved if operational savings are found that don't affect services and raise costs.
