CUPE Local 4784, representing 270 education support staff in Good Spirit School Division, voted to ratify a new three-year contract on Wednesday evening. The agreement includes:

• a signing bonus of a maximum of $360 dollars ($30/month) for members who have worked 75% of the available hours for 2017/2018 (this works out to 1.15% of payroll);
• a 1.5% wage increase for 2018/2019; and
• a 1.75% increase for 2019/2020.

The Union also achieved parity with the GSTA (Good Spirit Teachers Association) LINC agreement for extra-curricular and noon hour supervision.

Bargaining began in November 2017 under the provincial government’s attempted minus 3.5% public sector wage mandate.

“This round of bargaining was more difficult because of the government’s attempted wage mandate,” says local president Karla Sastaunik. “School divisions across Saskatchewan have been put in a tough spot because of the lack of increased provincial education funding despite increased enrollment. Nonetheless, we were able to negotiate a reasonable agreement that includes wage increases for our members. We’re pleased with that.”

Good Spirit School Division also ratified the agreement this week.

CUPE is the largest union in Saskatchewan, representing 30,000 members including more than 7,000 K-12 education support workers.

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