The City of Cranbrook and CUPE Local 2090 have signed on to a new two-year collective agreement, which includes a pair of retroactive pay increases.
City officials said the new contract is effective retroactively from March 1, 2021, to February 28, 2023.
Staff said both parties worked collaboratively and negotiated mutually beneficial terms for workers, management and Cranbrook’s residents.
The terms of the agreement were also shortened due to the unpredictability of the economic climate.
“This collective agreement recognizes the unprecedented hardships faced by employees during COVID 19 and the unpredictable inflation environment since the beginning of 2022,” said city officials. “The parties diligently considered all the above-mentioned factors and mutually agreed to shorten the term to two years in order to mitigate the impact of unpredictable inflation beyond 2023.”
The two parties also agreed to meet soon after the agreement expires to start another round of negotiations.
Officials said this will help keep up with the cost of living and improve policies to continue the agreement’s responsiveness to changing laws and sustainable practices.
“This round of bargaining had some key elements from both parties that were important to each, therefore it was more challenging and took longer to bargain to an agreement,” said Mark Fercho, Cranbrook’s Chief Administrative Officer. “The changes asked for by the employer will allow for the City to evolve more effectively ensuring a good value for the taxpayer while looking after the health and well-being of our staff team.”
The agreement includes a 2.75 per cent pay increase for all workers, retroactive to March 1, 2021, and a further 2.5 per cent pay increase retroactive to March 1 of this year.
Additionally, City officials said employees will also receive a temporary 2.5 per cent cost of living pay rate adjustment. This adjustment expires at the same time as the agreement, on February 28, 2023.