The City of Courtenay and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 556 have ratified a new four-year collective agreement.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to employees and recognizes the important role they play in delivering reliable public services, while balancing the need for fiscal responsibility.
The new collective agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2025, and runs until December 31, 2028. It includes general wage increases of $2.00 per hour in the first year, followed by five per cent in the second year, four per cent in the third year, and three and a half per cent in the fourth year.
The settlement represents a balanced outcome that supports wage competitiveness, advances key employer priorities, and modernizes the collective agreement to reflect current legal requirements and workplace practices. The parties also agreed to updates that support employee health and wellbeing while enhancing service delivery, along with revisions to improve clarity and consistency in the agreement language.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement through a constructive and respectful bargaining process,” said City Manager Geoff Garbutt. “Our employees are at the heart of the services we provide, and this agreement reflects their value to the organization. It supports their contributions while ensuring the City can continue to deliver reliable services now and into the future.”
“City of Courtenay members provide our community with essential public services that residents, businesses and visitors depend on every day,” said Sonya Jenssen, president of CUPE 556. “This agreement recognizes the dedication and commitment of employees who work to meet the operational needs of the community and ensure services are delivered when they are needed most.”
Both parties acknowledged the collaboration and effort of their respective bargaining teams in reaching a fair and balanced agreement.