Langley Township and its unionized employees have agreed to a contract, and there will be no strikes or other labour disruptions for the next few years.
CUPE Local 403 and the Township signed a deal that will expire on Dec. 31, 2015. The contract will see workers get a total raise of 6.75 per cent over the four year term of the contract.
New pay rates will take effect in June.
The agreement now takes in the new Family Day holiday which began last year, and adds increased flexibility and expanded work hours for some types of employees, and clarifies some contract language.
“We are very happy we were able to come to an agreement. This is a fair and equitable settlement for both sides,†said Township Mayor Jack Froese. “We have reached a reasonable deal that is comparable with others within the region.â€
CUPE officials also agreed that the contract is in line with those being negotiated around the Lower Mainland.
“While the negotiations took much longer than expected the deal meets the needs of the membership while ensuring that taxpayers continue to receive the high level of service they have come to expect,†said Paul Albrecht, president of local 403.
CUPE Local 403 represents 418 full and part time workers, and a number of auxiliary employees as well.
The Township fire department has its own union.