VICTORIA - A four-year collective agreement between the University of British Columbia and CUPE Local 2950 staff has been ratified, providing for modest wage increases within existing budgets, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap announced today.

The new collective agreement covers 1,700 clerical, secretarial, library, and Chan Centre for the Performing Arts staff at the Vancouver campus. The four-year agreement includes zero per cent wage increases for the first two years, April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012, consistent with the 2010 Net Zero Mandate, and a two per cent general wage increase in each of the third and fourth years, April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014, consistent with the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

The B.C. government has been clear that there is no new money to fund wage increases and there is no desire to download these costs onto families or future generations. The Cooperative Gains Mandate provides public sector employers with the ability to negotiate modest wage increases by finding savings within existing budgets, not adding costs to taxpayers and ratepayers, and not sacrificing services.

Settlements under the 2012 mandate are expected to be unique between sectors and between employers in some sectors.

Quotes:

Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap -

"I am pleased that we reached a four-year agreement with CUPE Local 2950, and that speaks to the flexibility of our government's approach, and how that benefits post-secondary students. I want to thank both parties for arriving at an agreement."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"Despite the challenging fiscal climate, this agreement shows the Cooperative Gains Mandate can lead to settlements without taking more money from taxpayers or reducing services.

"This mandate provides the opportunity for employers and unions to find creative solutions and this means no two settlements are going to be alike. We are going to see unique settlements in every sector and with each employer."

Quick Facts:

•  The new 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate applies to all public sector employers whose collective agreements expire on or after Dec. 31, 2011.

•  Under the Cooperative Gains Mandate, tentative agreements have been reached with the BCGEU for the public service and Community Living BC, Professional Residents of BC and with support staff unions at two research universities. A two-year agreement with the B.C. Nurses Union has been ratified.

• About 300,000 unionized workers are employed in the public service, at Crown corporations and agencies, and in the K-12, post-secondary, health and community social services sectors.

Learn More:

Updated bargaining information is available at: http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/psec/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6508

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821