Vancouver Community College, Langara College and their CUPE locals have reached tentative agreements under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

The four-year agreement between Vancouver Community College and CUPE Local 4627 begins with two years under the 2010 Net Zero Mandate. Like the agreement between Langara College and CUPE Local 15, VCC's tentative also has two years with a modest wage increase funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Almost three-quarters of the people working in B.C.'s public sector now have tentative or ratified agreements settled under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate. This represents over one-third of all agreements.

Following local ratification by union members and college boards, the PSEA board will provide the final sign-off on both the agreements, which cover about 1,300 people working in a variety of positions ranging from information technology, instructional assistants, administration and lab support workers, to library technicians, facilities and other services that support students and the institutions

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, while 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 Finance Michael de Jong -

"Almost three-quarters of unionized employees in B.C.'s public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the tough fiscal environment. These agreements show significant progress is being made under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate."

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

Quick Facts:

• The 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 kindergarten-to-Grade 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 Finance
250 356-9872