Lethbridge College staff vote overwhelmingly for new contract
Members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees at Lethbridge College voted overwhelmingly this week to accept a new three-year collective agreement.
AUPE represents 419 support staff at the college. The new agreement, which runs until July 1, 2014, includes a 1.5-per-cent pay increase in the first year, a 2.5-per-cent increase in the second and a wage re-opener in the third, which means it will be negotiated at that time.
The collective agreement also includes a $200 increase to each employee’s health spending account in the first year, bringing it to $500 per year, and another $100 increase in the second.
“We’re pleased with the deal,” said AUPE staff negotiator Ken Cutrell. “It’s a solid contract for our members, who work hard to ensure that operations at Lethbridge College run as smoothly as possible.”
“Support staff are a critical part of the education system,” said AUPE president Guy Smith. “AUPE is committed to ensuring they get the compensation they deserve.”
AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, with nearly 80,000 members across the province.
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For more information:
Guy Smith, AUPE president: (780) 265-2294 (cell phone)
Ken Cutrell, AUPE staff negotiator: (780) 930-3328 or (780) 217-1660 (cell phone)
Andrew Hanon, AUPE communications officer: (780) 930-5218