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Cranbrook, BC (June 14, 2022) -- The City of Cranbrook Management and CUPE Local 2090 members have reached a 2-year Collective Agreement starting from March 1, 2021 to February 28, 2023. CUPE 2090 held a ratification vote on the agreement on June 14, 2022, and City Council ratified the agreement on June 13, 2022.

During the negotiation both parties worked collaboratively, negotiating mutually beneficial terms to ensure quality services to our residents and businesses. 

This collective agreement recognizes the unprecedented hardships faced by employees during COVID 19 and the unpredictable inflation environment since the beginning of 2022.  The parties diligently considered all the above-mentioned factors and mutually agreed to shorten the term to two years in order to mitigate the impact of unpredictable inflation beyond 2023.  The parties also agreed to regroup in earnest soon after the expiry of this agreement to commence another round of bargaining to keep pace with the cost of living, while improving policies and ensuring our Collective Agreement continues to be responsive to changing laws and sustainable practices within comparable communities. 

This agreement offers the following annual increase:

• Year One: A general increase of 2.75% across the board to all classifications retroactive to March 1, 2021.
• Year Two: A general increase of 2.5% across the board to all classifications retroactive to March 1, 2022. 

Additional to the permanent increases above, employees will receive a supplemental temporary Cost of Living pay rate Adjustment (COLA) of 2.5% based on employees March 1, 2021 rate of pay.  The parties agreed to make this adjustment retroactive to March 1, 2022 in recognition of the turbulent inflation rates that accelerated at the beginning of 2022. This cost-of-living adjustment expires on February 28, 2023.  

“This round of bargaining had some key elements from both parties that were important to each, therefore it was more challenging and took longer to bargain to an agreement,” says Mark Fercho, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Cranbrook. “The changes asked for by the employer will allow for the City to evolve more effectively ensuring a good value for the taxpayer while looking after the health and well-being of our staff team.”  

“I want to thank the CUPE executive and the City bargaining committee for all their efforts and working together to finalize this collective agreement,” says Mayor Lee Pratt. “Reaching this agreement will ensure we are able to continue to provide quality service for all of our customers and citizens, which always remains a priority for us.”

"I want to thank the bargaining committee for their hard work and praise the members for their work during challenging times,” says Marlene Assuncao, CUPE 2090 President. “Our members work hard for the community of Cranbrook and are committed to serving its citizens. We believe this is a fair deal that in part recognizes that commitment."

Nearly 161 CUPE 2090 inside and outside workers are dedicated to providing many public services including: road maintenance, garbage collection, water and wastewater operations, parks and recreation services, bylaw services, planning services, engineering services, RCMP support, and administrative services at City Hall and our other municipal facilities.