BC Hydro, union reach tentative deal
By Contributor
BC Hydro has reached a tentative agreement with COPE Local 378, Finance Minister Michael de Jong.
The tentative agreement with COPE Local 378 represents almost 2,000 employed as administrative workers and financial analysts, as well as technical and environmental specialists involved in planning, operating and maintaining the province’s electrical system throughout B.C.
The two-year agreement provides for modest wage increases which are being funded from savings found within existing budgets, as required under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.
This is the third agreement reached at a provincial Crown agency. Community Living BC and ICBC have previously reached agreements with BCGEU and COPE respectively.
The ratification process by the parties will proceed in the coming weeks.
The B.C. government has been clear that there is no new money to fund wage increases and there is no desire to download these costs onto families or future generations.
The Cooperative Gains Mandate provides public-sector employers with the ability to negotiate modest wage increases funded from savings within existing budgets, not adding costs to taxpayers and ratepayers, and not sacrificing services.
Settlements under the 2012 mandate are expected to be unique between sectors and between employers in some sectors.
