The Town of Drumheller and inside and outside workers have struck an agreement that will see town employees receive a three per cent raise per year over the next two years.
Drumheller Town Council ratified the agreement reached by management and representatives of the Canadian Union of Provincial Employees (CUPE) Local 4604, which represents inside workers and CUPE Local 135, which represents outside workers. The approval was at a special council meeting in camera on Monday, March 7. Local 4604 ratified the agreement on March 3; Local 135 ratified the agreement on March 1.
“For Drumheller it is good. For an employee to work for an organization that has good benefits, good working hours and good working conditions it is a good deal,” said Ray Telford, CUPE 4604 local president. “We have a happy medium.
On top of the three per cent, there were a few changes according to Telford. He said permanent part time workers are now entitled to benefits, which are paid into by both the employer and the employee. Workers on long-term contracts are also entitled to benefits.
Michael Roy, director of Corporate Services for the Town of Drumheller said it is a deal that all parties can agree upon.
"The agreement was met by both union locals that is acceptable to all parties," said Roy.
He adds that while the town's budget was approved before an agreement was met, they anticipated the changes.
"We put a figure in there, and we always have a contingency in if for some reason we have to go more than we anticipate, but we do our homework when we do this. We see what the market is doing, see what is happening, so we are not out of line," said Roy.
The agreement covers 2011 and 2012 and includes a three per cent increase, with additional market adjustments to a number of positions.
Local 4604 represents about 20 full time employees, and up to 14 part time and seasonal town employees. Local 135 represents 17 full time employees and up to three part time and seasonal employees.
