The approximately 250 unionized employees of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) have a new agreement – and a wage increase.
The collective agreement between the SCRD and Unifor Local 466 was ratified on March 11, and went into effect retroactively on Jan. 1, 2020. The last agreement between the two parties lapsed at the end of 2019, then the pandemic caused a delay in negotiations.
The new collective agreement will cover a four-year term: As of Jan. 1, 2020, wages increased by 2 per cent. Starting January 2021, they went up by another 2 per cent. Next year, workers will see their wages increase by 2.25 per cent, and up by 2.5 per cent in 2023.
Outside of general wages, employees will also receive a .15 per cent one-time lump sum payment next year.
In a press release from the SCRD on March 12, SCRD chair Lori Pratt said, “I want to recognize the great, collaborative work that has gone into reaching this agreement by both staff at the SCRD and representatives for Unifor Local 466. This agreement demonstrates the value that we place on our employees as we continue to work to provide exceptional service to residents within the SCRD.”
In addition to wage increases, the agreement also included forming joint committees to collaborate on workplace issues like telecommuting, casual employees and job sharing. There will also be new provisions around scheduling for flexible time management.
The parties will send the agreement to the BC Labour Relations Board once it has been updated.
