A new collective agreement for Gatineau's aquatic sector employees
Sonia Roy
An agreement between the employees of the aquatic sector and Ville de Gatineau has been reached: the new collective agreement for this group of employees has been signed and is now in effect. Employees in Gatineau's aquatic sector, who have been working without a collective agreement since April 2018, will benefit from several updates with the renewal of their agreement (the third to be signed with the Canadian Union of Public Employees). More than 200 members are represented by the Syndicat des employés du secteur aquatique de la Ville de Gatineau - section locale 4881 (CUPE) and will work under the conditions established by this agreement until 2023. The official dates of the collective agreement cover a five-year period, from April 7, 2018 to April 6, 2023.
The new additions and changes in this new collective agreement for aquatic employees cover two main sections: wages and positions. Firstly, the new collective agreement provides for a salary increase of 2% per year for all unionised employees until the end of the agreement (2023). The increase in the minimum wage is also covered by the agreement: five salaried positions will see their salary structure improved. Two bonuses specific to the aquatic sector will be more advantageous, namely the beach bonus and the clothing bonus. In terms of schedule management and hiring, several items will facilitate the work of employees in this sector: trial and probation periods will be longer, the replacement process will be easier and the assignment process will be simplified. On the administrative side, the volume of work will be reduced.
This was a moment that was greatly anticipated by the employees, as Angelica Martinez, Acting President of the Syndicat des employés du secteur aquatique de la Ville de Gatineau - section locale 4881 (CUPE) explains: "Today's signing marks the final step in our negotiations that began in 2018. Aquatic employees have been looking forward to this signing since the vote on the tentative agreement in June 2022. We are satisfied with the progress we have made in terms of employee wages and working conditions.”. Simon Rousseau, Gatineau's Director General, reacted positively to the news: "I would like to commend the work of the negotiating committee, which was able to communicate and find solutions together to agree on working conditions that suit everyone. We are committed to the well-being of our employees, and this is undoubtedly achieved through good working conditions. Good labour relations within the City are necessary to optimize the quality of services offered to the population of Gatineau.”.
Photo caption: Angelica Martinez, interim president of the Syndicat des employés du secteur aquatique de la Ville de Gatineau - section locale 4881 (CUPE) and France Bélisle, Mayor of Gatineau
Photo credit: Courtesy of Ville de Gatineau
