Union members working for the city of Port Coquitlam voted 100% in favour of a new collective agreement this week.
The five-year deal, which follows the same wage hike as Coquitlam's contract that was ratified last month with a 88% vote, applies to about 350 members under CUPE Local 498 who will receive:
• 1.5% in 2016;
• 1.5% in 2017;
• 2% in 2018;
• 2% in 2019;
• and 2% in 2020.
Local president Gary Goff told The Tri-City News today (Thursday) the salary increases follow the regional trend.
As well, PoCo members will get extended health benefits more in line with Metro Vancouver municipal norms — for example, combined physio and massage coverage, vision care, hearing aids and boosts to the annual deductible.
Negotiations between John Leeburn, PoCo's chief administrative officer, and the union bargaining committee started last September.
Mayor Greg Moore, who along with council endorsed the contract on Tuesday, said the agreement "brings long-term stability to the city," he said in a news release that went out Wednesday. "I’m also happy that we were able to continue to provide seamless services to our residents during negotiations which speaks to the professionalism and commitment of our staff to serving our community."
Unlike in Coquitlam, salaries for non-unionized PoCo staff are not tied to the collective agreement, a city spokesperson said.
CUPE Local 825, which represents its civic workers, was not available for comment about its proposed deal; a tentative agreement was reached last month.
