The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) and CUPE Local 2106 have ratified a new collective agreement.

“During these highly uncertain times, we have been committed to reaching an agreement that not only provides certainty in the immediate future, but for the next few years,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay. “After extensive work by both parties, we have reached a five-year agreement that received strong support from both the Board and CUPE Local 2016 membership, which speaks to the strength and balance we were able to collectively achieve.”

The agreement covers the term January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2027 and includes CPI wage increases in each year of the five year settlement. “Pairing wage increases to the BC Consumer Price Index (CPI) not only helps address the recent high inflation, but also keeps our employees from falling behind in a time of rising costs of living,” adds Gay. “While this agreement provides assurance that our staff keep up with rising costs at a time of high inflation, it also reflects a shared vision that this same approach will be taken in times of lower inflation. A five-year term based on CPI shows that commitment from our staff.”

In addition to the wage increases, the agreement includes some updates to extended health benefits, a change from a three-week earned day off rotation to a two-week rotation and the addition of two wellness days for employees to focus on mental health, caregiving or personal wellness. “The focus in this agreement on wellness speaks to our commitment to support employee wellbeing at a time when so many organizations are seeing higher mental health impacts on employees.”

The agreement was ratified by CUPE Local 2106 on November 15 and the RDEK Board at its December Board Meeting.