The Town of Smithers and the Canadian Union of Employees have signed a new five-year collective agreement effective January 1st, 2018.
The agreement includes general wage increases of 2%, 2%, 2%, 2% and 1.5%.
Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach explains the significance of this deal.
“Many of the Towns staff are unionized employees and they do great work for our community. Every few years we enter the negotiation stage and we are pleased to have a resolution. It represents a good balance and will hopefully serve us well as an organization.”
CUPE Local 1570 President Darren Fuerst gives us his take on how he sees the new bargaining agreement.
“We believe this agreement and the fair, respectful bargaining session that brought it about, further strengthens the Union’s relationship with the Town, while providing fair, livable wages and benefits to our members,” said Fuerst. “Having this respectful relationship between the parties helps provide a work environment and culture here at the Town of Smithers that allows us to continue to serve the residents of Smithers with the standards that make the Bulkley Valley a wonderful place to live.”