THUNDER BAY - The head of the union representing around 600 city workers says a new contract offers stability for his members and the municipal government during a time of uncertainty.
An agreement ratified Monday by city council includes a 1.5 per cent annual wage increase from 2020 through 2022, which CUPE 87 president Dana Vacek said was slightly above the provincial average.
It also avoids any reductions to benefits, an outcome the union had earlier said the city was seeking.
CUPE 87 represents municipal workers in childcare, building inspectors, administrative workers, roads and parks employees, water and waste water staff, waste collectors and snow-plow operators.
Negotiations with the city began early in 2020, but were delayed to the fall due to COVID-19. The agreement comes after two days of talks overseen by a provincially-appointed conciliator.
CUPE 87 members voted to ratify the agreement last Monday, Vacek said.
