Town of CBS workers to get pay hike

By Mike Moore   |   The Shoreline

The Town of Conception Bay South and CUPE Local 3034 have agreed to a new collective agreement which will see a small increase in wages for the town’s staff over the next four years.

The agreement will bump staff wages per year by 0.5 per cent, 0.5 per cent, 1 per cent and 2 per cent respectively, and will pay public works staff who are on-call during the snow clearing season from November to April an on-call bonus of $45 per eight-hour shift.

“Two priorities of the negotiations were financial stability and enhanced snow clearing,” said Mayor Terry French. “I am happy to report that we have been able to accomplish both of these things through a respectful and productive process.”

Additionally, town staff will be on-call for year-round emergency and significant events, such as hurricanes or public safety issues.
Staff members will receive a signing incentive of $500 for full-time employees and $250 for remaining employees.

“We believe it is a fair agreement for both parties for another four years and we look forward to continue working with The Town,” said Terri-Lynn Cooper, the president of CUPE Local 3034.

CUPE staff were on hand during the town’s council meeting Tuesday night to finalize and sign the documents for the new collective agreement. French said he is thrilled with the performance of town staff, citing the success of the town’s hosting of the Pinty’s Boost National Grand Slam of Curling in early December as a moment he is proud of, both for the town’s volunteers and the town’s staff.

“I’m delighted and very happy to say it was a very good negotiation,” French said. “We’re all in this together.”

The collective agreement will come into effect on January 1.