BC Hydro has reached a tentative agreement with COPE Local 378, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

The tentative agreement with COPE Local 378 represents almost 2,000 employed as administrative workers and financial analysts, as well as technical and environmental specialists involved in planning, operating and maintaining the province's electrical system throughout B.C.

The two-year agreement provides for modest wage increases which are being funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

This is the third agreement reached at a provincial Crown agency. Community Living BC and ICBC have previously reached agreements with BCGEU and COPE respectively.

The ratification process by the parties will proceed in the coming weeks.

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 Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Rich Coleman -

"I am pleased to hear that BC Hydro and COPE Local 378 have reached a tentative agreement under the Cooperative Gains Mandate. I would like to thank the negotiators on both sides of the table for their hard work in making this agreement happen."

"This agreement shows that the Cooperative Gains Mandate continues to lead to negotiated settlements at Crown agencies."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

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

"I encourage employers and unions across the public sector to continue negotiating because agreements can be reached."

Quick Facts:

• The new 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate applies to all public-sector employers whose collective agreements expire 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.

• To date, more than one-quarter of people working in B.C.'s public sector now have tentative or ratified agreements settled under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Learn More:

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

Media Contacts:

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

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas
250 952-0617