The Village of McBride and CLAC Local 501, which represents employees of the village and the McBride Community Forest, have finalized their first collective agreement.
CLAC spokesperson Audrey Wilkinson describes the negotiating process as ‘difficult.’
“We actually had to engage the Labour Relations Board mediator program that they have there. We just weren’t able to come to agreement on several outstanding items,” she says. “Luckily with the help of the Labour Board mediator we were able to work through those issues that were outstanding.”
However, Wilkinson says the results are satisfactory.
““I think our members are really just relieved to have it done and we’re able to move forward and hopefully be able to have a really fair and respectful relationship with the village going forward.”
She says job security was a high priority for Local 501 members.
“One of the big things that was important to our members was job security. When we came into being for them, it was a brand new mayor and council and so there was just some uncertainty about how that was going to play out for the current employees. We were able to get some language in there that gives them some really good job security.”
Other provisions in the new agreement include more sick leave as well as increased wages and benefits for workers.
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