FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY OF NELSON & CUPE LOCAL 339 RATIFY COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT

June 3, 2021

A Memorandum of Agreement between CUPE Local 339 and the City of Nelson has been ratified. The four (4) year agreement covering July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024 includes wage increases of 0% in 2020, 2% in January 2021, 2% in July 2021, 2% in July 2022 and 2% in July 2023; the contract includes minor language refinements that support the workforce and the City of Nelson to provide efficiency and effectiveness in the day-to-day operations.  

“We are pleased to complete a four-year deal, taking into consideration budget constraints, the effects of the pandemic on our community and ensuring we maintain the service levels we need to keep Nelson safe and welcoming. This agreement is in line with recent union settlements across the Province of BC,” stated Director of Human Resources, Joanna Markin. “The City of Nelson is pleased with the respectful negotiation process with CUPE representatives that led to this agreement.”

“This Collective Agreement will ensure good quality public service are maintained and improved for the citizens of Nelson,” stated City Manager Kevin Cormack. “The CUPE Agreement expired on June 30, 2020, and negotiations were wide ranging in searching for solutions to sometimes complex situations and past practices that needed to be modernized. I appreciated the openness of the CUPE bargaining team to have these discussions and seek solutions.  Our employees provide vital services on a consistent basis to the residents of Nelson; this was very apparent during the pandemic.  I believe both parties are satisfied with the outcome which is fair and equitable for both the employer and the employees.”

CUPE Local 339 represents approximately 70 full time (FTE) members, who provide a wide variety of municipal services, including but not limited to the operation, maintenance and repair of water and sewer systems, cemetery, parks, garbage collection, snow removal, Nelson & District Youth Centre and Finance.