The University of British Columbia's Board of Governors recently provided the final ratification on agreements with CUPE Local 116 Aquatic Centre, as well as the BCGEU Child Care Staff reached under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

CUPE Local 116 represents about 110 lifeguards and instructors at UBC's Aquatic Centre on the Vancouver campus. The four-year agreement includes zero per cent wage increases for the first two years, consistent with the 2010 Net Zero Mandate, and a two per cent general wage increase on Jan. 1, 2013, and two per cent on Jan. 1, 2014, funded from savings found within existing budgets consistent with the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

The BCGEU Child Care Staff at the Vancouver Campus represents about 250 people working to provide child-care services at several child-care centres in the UBC community. This two-year settlement provides a two per cent general wage increase on May 1, 2012, and two per cent on May 1, 2013, funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Almost three-quarters of unionized employees in the B.C. public sector now are covered under negotiated settlements. This represents over one-third of all agreements.

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 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."

"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."

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 Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-9872