Delta council approved a new four-year collective agreement with CUPE Local 454 Monday, 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 of Delta reached a tentative agreement just days before Christmas. The union ratified the agreement at a meeting last Wednesday.
The contract is consistent with those reached in other Lower Mainland jurisdictions. It includes a 6.75 per cent wage increase over the four years - 1.25 per cent for 2012, 1.75 per cent in 2013, 1.75 per cent in 2014 and two per cent in 2015.
It also includes 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, municipal hall operating hours will be from 8: 30 a.m. until 4: 45 p.m. weekdays with the hall continuing to remain open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
