Three more tentative agreements have been reached under the Cooperative Gains Mandate with CUPE locals at Thompson Rivers University and CUPE Local 4879, the University of British Columbia and CUPE Local 116, and between the University of Northern BC and CUPE Local 3799, announced Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap, today.

Each tentative agreement covers four years: two years under the 2010 Net Zero Mandate and two years modest wage increases funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

CUPE Local 4879 at Thompson Rivers University represents about 600 support staff working in positions such as system analysts, accountants, cashiers, bookstore clerks and buyers, registration and admissions clerks, maintenance and utility staff, library technicians, ancillary staff and Open Learning support staff. CUPE Local 116 represents approximately 2,000 employees working in trades, food services, custodial, research and security at the University of British Columbia. The University of Northern BC's CUPE Local 3799 represents about 350 administrative staff including inside and outside support staff, as well as English Language studies instructors.

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

No further details on the agreements will be available until ratification is complete.

Quotes:

Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap -

"These agreements show that the Cooperative Gains Mandate is working and savings can be found within existing budgets to fund modest wage increases."

"I would like to recognize the efforts of the employers and unions in reaching these agreements."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"The tentative agreements announced in the past month show significant progress is being made under the Cooperative Gains Mandate, despite the tough fiscal environment."

"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 expired on or after Dec. 31, 2011.

• Under the Cooperative Gains Mandate, agreements have been reached with the BCGEU for the public service and Community Living BC, the BC Nurses Union, Professional Residents of BC and with support staff unions at research universities.

• 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