Chilliwack – NOVEMBER 7 UPDATE – Chilliwack School Board and CUPE Local 411 who represent support worked, went to the mediator November 5 and 6. On November 7, they came out with a tentative agreement.This still have to be ratified by the Union, the Board of Education and the BCPSEA BC Public School Employers Association.
This falls into line with other agreements in other school districts and their support workers. CUPE Local 411 represents 924 unionized school district employees, including education assistants, custodians, clerical staff, maintenance and trades.
Fraser Cascade came to terms on November 4. On the other side, 8000 kids in Saanich are still out of class as that strike action continues to interfere with the school calendar year.
OCTOBER 29 UPDATE – In a media release, Dan Coulter, Chair Chilliwack Board of Education, stated that support workers and the School District are headed for mediation.
The goal is to find common contract ground and not disrupt the school year.
This effects 924 unionized school district employees, including education assistants, custodians, clerical staff, maintenance and trades. Coulter says “The school district and the union are scheduled to meet with the mediator on November 5 and 6″. Wages are just part of their concerns, but are in the forefront.
The statement on the District website:
The Chilliwack Board of Education and CUPE Local 411 have agreed to the appointment of a mediator by the Labour Relations Board to assist the school district and the union to conclude a collective agreement. Local 411 represents 924 unionized school district employees, including education assistants, custodians, clerical staff, maintenance and trades.The school district and the local union are working to conclude the locally negotiated provisions of the collective agreement with CUPE Local 411 consistent with the Provincial Framework Agreement concluded in September 2018 between the BC Public School Employers’ Association, the bargaining agent for the province’s public school districts, and representatives of support staff unions in the K-12 public education sector, including CUPE. The Provincial Collective Agreement provides for general wage increases of 6% over the three-year term of the agreement as well as other key matters. Over 70% of public sector unionized employees are now covered by collective agreements reached under the provincial government public sector bargaining mandate, including many CUPE locals in school districts.“The school district and the union are scheduled to meet with the mediator on November 5 and 6. We greatly value our support staff and we’re committed to work fully with the mediator to conclude a collective agreement that meets the needs of both parties” said Board of Education Chair Dan Coulter. “We remain focused on the success of our students and hope to resolve the outstanding issues to ensure there is no disruption to their school year.”The School District will provide further updates as bargaining progresses.
Dan Coulter Board of Education Chair
