The new collective agreements provide for raises and one-time inflationary support.
The City of Richmond has ratified a new four-year collective agreement with the unions representing inside and outside city workers.
According to city media release published Wednesday morning, the city and CUPE Locals 718 and 394 ratified the new agreement on May 17.
The agreement covers the period between Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2027 and provides wage increases for unionized employees at 4.5 per cent in 2024, 4 per cent in 2025 and 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
Unionized employees will also receive a one-time inflationary support and retention lump sum payment, as well as enhanced health benefits and other “non-monetary improvements.”
“The new collective agreement reflects the economic challenges of the past few years and represents a fair (and) competitive rate structure that will bring long-term labour stability to the city,” reads the City of Richmond’s media release.
The collective agreements for inside and outside city workers, represented by CUPE Locals 718 and 394 respectively, expired on Dec. 31, 2023.
Members in the two unions had previously voted in favour of a strike in April following an impasse in negotiations in March and the parties headed into mediation earlier this month.
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