The municipality of Tantramar and CUPE Local 1188 have extended their collective agreement a year ahead of schedule, with a new agreement extending to the end of 2027, according to a news release from the town of Tantramar. The current agreement was not due to expire until December 2024, but due to amalgamation the town says it conducted a “comprehensive wage review”, and then made a proposal to the union for an extension to 2027.
The new agreement includes a 10.75% wage increase over four years, including a 2.25% increase to take effect next month, as negotiated in the previous contract. Another 8.5% will be spread over the following three years, averaging 2.8% per year. The town says the new contract “aligns with our commitment to fair compensation.”
The wage increases are slightly higher than the last CUPE contract, which saw increases of 2% in 2022 and 2023. The New Brunswick consumer price index rose 9% from June 2021 to June 2022, and 2% from June 2022 to June 2023, according to Statista.
At the time of signing, CUPE Local 1188 represented 32 unionized town employees including civic centre attendants, accounting clerks, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and other essential municipal staff. The 2023 budget allowed for 34 unionized positions, and that could increase to 36 in 2024, according to town treasurer Michael Beal.
Local 1188 president Cory Johnson is quoted in the town’s news release saying members agreed to the town’s proposal for a “3-year extension of the labour peace.” Mayor Andrew Black said the renewed agreement is, “a testament to our appreciation for the hard work and resilience of our staff.”
In 2017, a provincial conciliator was called in to help settle a dispute over the seniority rights of part-time workers, and union members rallied at town hall to make their case. According to reports on warktimes.com, the town acquiesced and signed a contract in May 2017, 17 months after the last contract had expired.
