CUPE Local 8443 has ratified a new collective agreement with Saskatoon Public Schools. Over 450 members cast ballots, and the result was a 67% vote in favour of the proposal.

“We are pleased we were able to reach a deal that saw modest wage increases for our members,” said Scott Barrett, President of CUPE Local 8443. “Our schools work because we do, and this deal recognizes the hard work of our members.”

The four-year deal means a wage increase of 0%, 0.5%, 1.5%, 2% and includes other monetary improvements such as enhancements to vacation increments, a 0.2% increase in per capita benefits spending, uniform allowance for nutritional workers, and an increase in boot allowance for maintenance workers. All items will be fully retroactive where applicable.

“There were also numerous minor improvements to language, but one we are especially proud of: casual and temporary employees will now accrue seniority,” said Barrett. “This is a huge step forward for precarious workers.

Previously, casual and temporary employees would only have seniority retroactively applied if they landed a permanent job, but now they can use their seniority for bidding purposes as well.”

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