BC Transit and the Canadian Auto Workers Local 333 have ratified a two-year agreement under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak announced today.

The agreement covers about 650 drivers, service and maintenance staff working at BC Transit.

The agreement provides for modest wage increases of two per cent effective April 1, 2012, and two per cent on April 1, 2013. The increases are funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required by the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

More than half 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 about 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 Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"I am pleased to hear that BC Transit and CAW Local 333 have ratified their 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."

Minister of Finance Michael de Jong -

"More than half of unionized employees in the B.C. public sector are now covered under negotiated settlements, despite the challenging fiscal climate. These agreements show significant progress is being made under the 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 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/bargaining/index.htm

Media Contacts:

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

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241