Local ratifies tentative agreement
Jacqueline Perlin
Assistant News Editor
The union representing York’s support staff has confirmed it will not be striking.
The Canadian Union of Public Service Employees (CUPE) Local 1356—which represents custodial services, housing, grounds, and maintenance—ratified the tentative agreement it reached with the university November 28.
“Eighty-five per cent of our membership voted in favour of the contract,” explains Calvin Traynor, the president of the Local.
The new contract includes a 1.9-per-cent wage increase this year and a two-per-cent increase in the two years following.
There was also an increase in the post-retirement fund for the workers.
“I’m happy with what we got,” says Traynor, noting that wages and the post-retirement plan were the two main items on his list of negotiations.
With respect to items that the union did not receive, Traynor said there was a “list of things” they could have got, but that one must be realistic in a tough economic climate.
The ratification has consolidated the agreement with the university for the next three years. It will be in effect until August 31, 2014.
