Bargaining and Contract Negotiation

When and how we bargain depends on which work unit is involved.

Health Science Professionals at Island Health (VIHA)

Bargaining for the new Health Science Professional collective agreement, which covers 19,500 workers in B.C. including approximately 1,000 CUPE members, began on March 2, 2022. Please see the bulletin on the CUPE Community Health web site for an update.

CRD Bargaining

We exchanged proposals with the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (GVLRA) and the CRD on Thursday, March 3, and had two sessions at the table on March 8 and 10, 2022. We have reached agreement on some issues and have four more sessions scheduled for mid-April. The bargaining team is led by Diane, our CUPE National representative, and consists of Tom Benjamin, the Union president, John Hicks from Regional and Strategic Planning and James Brenay from Integrated Water Services (McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant), supported by Jody Watson from Environmental Protection, James Kroening also from Integrated Water Services (Saanich Peninsula Wastewater Treatment Plant), and Graziella Martin from Regional Parks.

A summary of the proposals is available for download.

In the meantime the Local needs you to show your support for bargaining and potential strike action later in the year. The best way for you to do that is to get involved with the Strike Committee. Having strong support from the membership shows the employer that we are united and determined to get what we want at the table. CUPE National offers free training, all done on-line via Zoom, to members of the Strike Committee on what they need to do. The next workshop is called “Mobilization”, which covers building power by mobilizing members to build solidarity and support for the bargaining committee. There is one session specifically for our Local on Thursday, March 17, from 1 to 4 pm. There our other offerings on Monday mornings during April, May and June. The cost of the workshops is covered by CUPE National and the Local covers your time by reimbursing the employer for the time you book off from work to attend the training.

West Shore Parks and Recreation Society (WSPR)

Following ratification by all parties in October 2021, the new collective agreement – effective from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023 – is available for download, using the list on the right of this page.

CRD Rollover Agreement (2021)

The current collective agreement with the CRD (Capital Regional District) expired on December 31, 2020.

Given the pandemic the Union and the employer’s bargaining agent – the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (GVLRA) – negotiated a rollover agreement for 1 year, including a 2% pay raise on January 1, 2021. This was discussed at the General Membership meeting on November 25, 2020, and on-line voting took place afterwards. The membership voted overwhelmingly in favour of accepting the rollover agreement. Please read the FAQ and the summary below.

Memorandum of Agreement with the GVLRA and CRD:

• The terms and conditions of the current 2017-2020 collective agreement will continue to apply for one (1) year, until December 31, 2021.
• Effective January 1, 2021, a two per cent (2.0 %) general wage increase shall be applied to the existing wages schedules.
• 2021 Pay Schedules.

Greater Victoria Housing Society (GVHS)

Bargaining with GVHS was completed in April 2019. That collective agreement is valid until December 31, 2023.