Mediation Update
We have received confirmed dates for mediation from the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB). Our first mediation session is scheduled for next Thursday, October 5 and we have additional dates at the beginning of November.
Our goal is to make as much progress as possible on the first day of mediation. Your bargaining committee provided the employers a framework for settlement on September 15. We hope that the assistance of a mediator and this framework for settlement will help bring the parties closer together and reach a tentative agreement without further delay.
Recent Regional Settlements
CUPE Local 389 and the City of North Vancouver ratified a new three-year agreement earlier this week. The agreement provides wage increases of 3 percent in 2022, 4.5 percent in 2023 and 4 percent in 2024. It also includes a one-time, 4.5 percent inflationary support payment applied on 2022 wages as well as meaningful improvements to address the high cost of living and recruitment and retention challenges.
Next Steps
We are optimistic that we will be able to reach a deal through the mediation process. However, we are prepared for plan b should mediation not be successful.
We have been in contact with IBEW (the union that also represents workers employed by the City of New Westminster), and we are fully prepared to collaborate on conducting a strike vote if the employers come unprepared on October 5.
Given the regional bargaining context and the fact we have been negotiating for almost a full year now, we need to see some significant movement from the employers next week. If we cannot make significant progress towards negotiating a new collective agreement, then we will likely need your support in achieving a strong strike mandate before heading back to mediation in early November.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us by email at cupe387@telus.net