New deal for St.Catharines workers

The Mayor of St.Catharines says a new deal for city works means stability.

St. Catharines City Council and its unionized inside, outside and museum workers have agreed to new four-year contracts.

The agreement which covers the period from January 1st 2015 to December 31st 2018 was ratified by City Council during the in-camera portion of Monday’s council meeting.

Members of CUPE 150, representing outside workers, CUPE 157, representing inside workers, and CUPE 1287 representing workers at the St. Catharines Museum, ratified the agreements Sept. 1st 2015.

“This agreements supports stability in the City’s workforce ensuring there will be no disruption of service to citizens over the next four years and also respects the impact that salaries have on the City’s operating budget during these challenging times,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik.

The agreements gives employees a 0.5 per cent increase effective Jan. 1, 2015, and 0.5 per cent July 1, 2015, 1.5 per cent in 2016, and 1.25 per cent in both 2017 and 2018.