The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) advises that its unionized staff, represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) Union Local 1-1937, have voted in favour of a strike. USW employs 81 staff at the Comox Valley Sports and Aquatics Centres.
The CVRD has been in negotiations and met for twelve days with USW since January 29, 2018 to address amendments to the Collective Agreement that expired on January 31, 2018.
The CVRD has been following the mandate provided by the CVRD Sports Commission with wage increases of 2 per cent per year for 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Union seeks further wage enhancements beyond the local and provincial standard of 2 per cent.
“The CVRD is committed to continue working towards a fair solution,” explains Jennifer Zbinden, CVRD Senior Manager of Recreation Facilities. “We want to ensure residents that the health and safety of staff and the community are of utmost importance. Please be aware that this strike vote could result in facility closures and program cancellations.”
The CVRD acknowledges a strike vote is part of the labour relations process. Information will be provided to the public in the event of an escalation in labour action at the facilities.
Please visit our website prior to visiting facilities at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/usw
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Steel, Manager of Corporate Communications
250-334-6063