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Unions Reach Framework Deal

Unions Reach Framework Deal

Sep 28, 2018 | 3:53 PM

K to 12 support staff unions have approved a provincial framework for a new three year labour deal.

It covers 34,000 support staff working in positions like custodians, maintenance workers, and education assistants

The framework — which includes a wage hike of 2% a year — paves the way for collective agreements to be negotiated between K to 12 support staff local unions and BC school districts over the next few months.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) K-12 Presidents’ Council, comprised of CUPE local union presidents, along with representatives from the sector’s other support staff unions, voted earlier this week to endorse the framework that forms the basis of the district-level negotiations.

The provincial framework is consistent with the Sustainable Service Negotiating Mandate and includes:

* a three-year term of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022

* general wage increases of 2% per year

* targeted funding to be negotiated at the local level for support staff that will lead to service enhancements that benefit students

* commitments between the parties to collaborate on procedures that help minimize or eliminate the risk of violence in the workplace in accordance with WorkSafeBC requirements