Diversified Transportation employees in AUPE Local 118/015 strongly ratify tentative agreement
SHERWOOD PARK – Members of AUPE Local 118/015 representing Strathcona County Transit drivers have overwhelmingly ratified a one-year collective agreement with Diversified Transportation.
The agreement is designed to protect the bargaining unit’s union representation in the face of the employer’s decision not to renew its service contract with Strathcona County.
The ratification vote took place yesterday at the Strathcona County bus barn, and approval of the agreement had been strongly recommended by the local’s bargaining committee.
A tentative agreement was reached on June 20 between the bargaining teams for Local 118/015 and Diversified Transportation.
The one-year agreement incorporates all changes agreed to in negotiations this spring and summer with all remaining current language in the old agreement, said Staff Negotiator Jim Petrie, who has been leading the negotiating team from AUPE, the union Diversified employees voted to join six months ago.
This included the new benefits plan and the agreement regarding outstanding medical benefits claims, said Petrie. In addition, the agreement includes a 5 per cent increase in wages retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008.
Petrie said the agreement was the best possible response to the employer’s decision announced last week not to renew its contract to provide municipal transportation services to Strathcona County. “In these unusual circumstances, ratification of the interim agreement was the best way to facilitate transition of this bargaining unit to employment by a new entity.”
“It is important to emphasize that under these circumstances there is no good outcome to a no vote,” Petrie added.