After more than 10 months without a collective agreement, CUPE Local 787 has signed a three year contract with the City of Grande Prairie. It includes a retroactive wage increase of 1.5 per cent as of January 1st this year. Salaries will go up another 1.8 per cent at the start of 2017, and 2.25 per cent in 2018. The union represents 650 permanent, temporary and casual staff employed by the municipality. President Randy Wald says given the current economy, CUPE feels the agreement is fair and equitable. Chief Financial Officer Ken Anderson adds that the deal will help the city retain staff while staying within budget constraints. The contract has been ratified and is effective until the end of 2018.
