A four-year collective agreement between Royal Roads University and CUPE Local 3886 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 about 70 employees with positions in gardens and grounds, custodial and housekeeping, production and trades. The four-year agreement includes zero per cent wage increases for the first two years, June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2012, which is consistent with the 2010 Net Zero Mandate, and a two per cent general wage increase in each of the third and fourth years, June 1, 2012, through May 31, 2014. This is 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 funded from 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 -

"This is the second contract ratified at Royal Roads University this week."

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

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 gives employers and unions the opportunity 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."

Allan Cahoon, president and vice-chancellor, Royal Roads University -

"Our CUPE staff are integral to providing the services and support for Royal Roads to be able to deliver the quality of experience our students expect. I am delighted that we have succeeded in reaching an agreement without any disruption of work or services to our students."

Quick Facts:

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

• 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.

• Under the Cooperative Gains Mandate, agreements have been reached with the BCGEU for the Public Service and at Community Living BC, in the health sector with the BC Nurses Union and the Professional Residents, with faculty at Royal Roads University, and at many of the research universities with support staff unions.

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