The Regional District of Nanaimo and its workers will have labour peace for the near future as the RDN and CUPE Local 401 have announced a new collective agreement.
According to a press release, the two sides announced ratification of a four-year deal, retroactive to Jan. 1 and running until Dec. 31, 2024. The deal will provide two-per cent wage increases each year of the deal, said the press release, and will also feature improved benefit coverage and access to free bus passes for workers and their immediate families. The deal will also see scheduling efficiencies across multiple departments, which include extending hours of work at the landfill and evening and weekend hours for bylaw enforcement.
The two sides were pleased to announced the deal. Douglas Holmes, RDN CAO, expressed thanks to the union representatives and RDN staff for their efforts in working together to come to an agreement.
“The ratification of the new collective agreement provides a stable labour relations environment and certainty for both parties for the four-year term, which enables the continued delivery of high-quality public service,” Holmes said in the release.
Blaine Gurrie, CUPE Local 401 president, said in the press release that the union wished to thank the RDN for its approach to bargaining and problem-solving.
“The deal provides labour stability during an uncertain time and allows us to carry on providing the excellent public service the RDN strives for,” Gurrie said.
The union local’s membership includes 420 workers from north Cedar to Qualicum and more than 2,000 all over Vancouver Island.
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