UBC campus,Vancouver.Globe files
The union representing 2,000 support staff at the University of B.C. has reached a tentative contract that gives them some modest gains.
Members of Local 116 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees says the four-year deal contains no wage hikes in the first two years, and two per cent increases in both the third and fourth years, plus wider access to the staff pension plan.
The local represents a broad range of UBC staff, including tradespeople, technicians and bookstore staff, plus food service, security, parking, custodial and clerical workers.
Meanwhile, another CUPE local at the university that represents teaching assistants, tutors and sessional instructors is still without a contract, and the union has set a strike vote for Wednesday.
Last week, UBC staff of CUPE Local 2950 ratified a four-year deal after a 90 per cent vote in favour of the contract.
The local represents 1,500 clerical, library and hospital workers who also get a two per cent wage increase in the third and fourth years of the agreement.