BULKLEY VALLEY — CUPE 2145, K-12 support workers at SD54 have ratified a tentative agreement on June 24, following bargaining that began in April.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our bargaining team – they were great. We all worked really well together and were professional. Our members came to the table ready to do business,” said CUPE 2145 President Rolanda Lavallee.

Lavallee noted that when the local elected their bargaining committee, all departments were represented. The local’s amicable relationship with the employer, she added, was another contributing factor in reaching a deal wholeheartedly endorsed by the membership.

The tentative agreement also incorporates the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details will not be available until after ratification by all parties, expected to be completed this month.

CUPE 2145 members, who provide a wide variety of services that support students, include Education Assistants, Indigenous Support Workers, Strong Start, Custodians, Trades, Clerical, Bus Drivers, Maintenance and IT.

The local represents 47 full-time and 131 part-time members in K-12 who provide support services at seven schools in Smithers, Telkwa and Houston.

MERRITT — CUPE 847, K-12 support workers at SD58 reached a tentative agreement on June 21, following an exchange of proposals and two bargaining sessions.

“I appreciated our whole bargaining committee,” said CUPE 847 President Lynda Hodgson. “We had a lot of ground to cover and we were able to make improvements that will benefit all members.” Hodgson said that a lot of existing contract language had been cleaned up to be gender neutral and to reflect legislative changes over the years.

Members will be voting on ratification on June 25 and 26 in Princeton and Merritt, respectively.

The tentative agreement reached at the local bargaining table will become part of the complete package members will vote to ratify, that also includes the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in June.

CUPE 847 members provide a wide variety of services including Education Assistants, Strong Start, Custodians, Bus Drivers, Clerical, and Trades and Maintenance workers.

The local represents approximately 140 members in the Nicola-Similkameen School District (SD58) who support students in Merritt, Princeton, Lower Nicola and surrounding area.

SQUAMISH — CUPE 779, K-12 support workers at SD48 (Sea to Sky), reached a tentative agreement on June 21 following 7 bargaining sessions with the employer.

CUPE 779 President Andrea Smith said that bargaining was respectful on both sides and had high praise for her bargaining committee.

“Our whole bargaining team was absolutely awesome,” said Smith. “We had a really great team with representatives from almost every type of service our members provide.”

CUPE 779 members ratified the tentative agreement on Saturday, June 22. Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed this month.

Tentative agreements reached during local bargaining become part of the complete package members vote to ratify, that also includes the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

CUPE 779 members provide all non-teaching services including Education Assistants, Custodial, Maintenance, Bus Drivers, Mechanics, and Clerical – naming just a few.

The local represents almost 300 members in SD48 who support students in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, as well as six Aboriginal communities: Skwxwú7mesh Uxwumixw, Lil’wat Nation, N’Quatqua Band, Samhquam Ucwalmicw, Skatin Nations, Xa’xtsa and the Metis, Inuit and Off-Reserve Aboriginal Nations.

CUPE 401 members who support K-12 at SD85 reached a tentative agreement on June 20, following four bargaining sessions.

“This employer was open to finding ways to reach an agreement that benefitted all parties,” said CUPE 401 President Blaine Gurrie.

The tentative agreement will form part of the full collective agreement that members will vote to ratify that also includes the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in June.

CUPE 401 members provide a wide variety of services in K-12 including EAs, Custodians, Bus Drivers, Clerical, and Trades.

The local represents 2,100 members across the Island with almost 200 members in SD85 who support students in the northern region of Vancouver Island.

PRINCE GEORGE — CUPE 4991, K-12 maintenance and grounds workers at SD57, reached a tentative agreement on June 21 following two days of bargaining.

“I certainly appreciated the commitment of our bargaining committee – who were mainly new to bargaining – and the support from our National Servicing Representative,” said CUPE 4991 President Shayne Jameson.

The tentative agreement reached at the local bargaining table will become part of the complete package members will vote to ratify, that also includes the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in June.

CUPE 4991 members provide a wide variety of services including Grounds, Maintenance, Trades, Electricians, Technicians, Carpenters, Labourers, and Repairmen.

The local represents approximately 50 members in Prince George who maintain all facilities and grounds in SD57 (Prince George).