Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1978 have reached a 3-year collective agreement for the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024.
“I am very pleased that we have been able to reach a fair and mutually beneficial agreement through respectful negotiation and honest dialogue,” said CRD Chief Administrative Officer Ted Robbins. “I want to thank everybody who was involved in the bargaining process for the work that they have done to create an agreement that meets the needs of our employees and allows us to continue to deliver the essential services we provide.”
"Our members, like all CRD residents, have felt the pressure of rising interest rates and record high inflation and that has certainly added a layer of complexity to this round of negotiations," says CUPE 1978 President Tom Benjamin. "We believe this new agreement will help ease some of the pressure our members are feeling both financially and in terms of work-life balance. This agreement will ensure that our members are able to continue to deliver quality services to residents, businesses, and visitors in our communities."
The agreement includes a $0.25 per hour and then 3.24% wage increases for the first year (retroactive for 2022), a 4% increase in 2023, and a 3% increase in 2024. It also increases flexibility by offering flex schedules and modified workweek arrangements. The CRD has also agreed to more opportunity for hybrid working from home arrangements.
CUPE Local 1978 represents approximately 1,100 members who work for the CRD and provide important community services for residents and businesses across the entire region from Port Renfrew to the Gulf Islands.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492
Tom Benjamin, President
CUPE 1978
Tel: 250.580.1195
Email: president@cupe1978.com