Greetings to you all,
As we get set to take a well deserved holiday break, I would like to take this opportunity to look back and reflect on the past year and what we can look forward to in 2016.
This past year saw the signing of a new collective agreement spanning over 5 years with guaranteed pay increases totalling 5.5% over the life of the agreement. As an added bonus, part of the agreement called for a Economic Stability Dividend. This meant that when the provincial economy was experiencing growth, we would see a portion of that come back to us in the form of a pay increase. By now, most of you would have read the CamNews outlining what that Dividend will look like. In case you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I will give you the Cole’s Notes version – in February, we will experience a 0.45% permanent increase to our paycheques!
We also secured increases in vision and dental care, life insurance payouts and, probably most importantly, improvements in the PharmaCare Formulary without any concessions.
In the area of labour relations, we have continued to simultaneously build and mend fences with the employer. We are never going to see eye-to-eye on every issue but I can honestly say that we have a better working relationship now than at any point I have been involved with the union. I believe both sides, for the most part, are approaching each other from a place of mutual respect and with a desire to find interest-based solutions to any situations that crop up.
In 2016, collectively we must continue building your union as a force for positive change both in the work place and in the broader community. Together we can make even more gains in workplace protection, protect the services that students and staff depend on, push for more full time jobs and for workplace fairness for all of our CUPE 2081 members. Our solidarity is our strength.
And so on behalf of your CUPE Local 2081 Executive, I hope each and every one of you have a happy and safe holiday season. Enjoy a well-deserved and negotiated break with your friends and loved ones. See you in the New Year!
In Solidarity,
Tony Nelson l President
CUPE Local 2081
( 250-370-3665 l 7 250-370-3668 l * nelsont@camosun.ca l ) www.2081.cupe.ca