Delta council earlier today approved a new four-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 454 cementing the agreement that was ratified by the union last week.
After several months of negotiations that saw the union file for mediation, CUPE and the Corporation reached a tentative agreement just days before Christmas. The union ratified the agreement at a meeting last Wednesday.
The agreement is consistent with other agreements in the Lower Mainland.
It includes: 6.75 per cent wages increases over the four years - 1.25 per cent for 2012, 1.75 per cent in 2013, 1.75 per cent in 2014, and 2 per cent in 2015 - similar to increases in New Westminster, Vancouver and Burnaby; standardization of hours of work for municipal hall staff from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. with a half hour lunch break; and, non-standard hours for Delta Community Animal Shelter staff in order to provide 24/7 coverage.
"I am pleased we have a new collective agreement in place for our employees," said Mayor Lois Jackson. "Our chief administrative officer, George Harvie, and CUPE 454 president, Darryl Robison, worked hard to achieve a balanced agreement."
Effective Feb. 4, Delta Municipal Hall operating hours will be from 8:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Monday to Friday with the hall continuing to remain open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.