The District of Peachland and the union representing 39 full-time, part-time and casual employees have reached a new collective agreement.
Following an in-camera council meeting on Tuesday (Mar. 11), Deputy Mayor Keith Thom said council had agreed to authorize the signing of the new 2024 to 2027 agreement with CUPE Local 608. Details will be released after the deal has been ratified by both sides.
The news comes after the district responded to concerns regarding the bargaining process with the union in December 2024.
At that time, a district media release stated that after lengthy negotiations failed to produce a mutual agreement, the district proceeded with a final offer vote in accordance with the Labour Relations Code.
The statement says this was not an effort to bypass the union but a measure to advance discussions and ensure staff were fully informed of the proposal, and that many employees had reportedly expressed a lack of awareness about the specifics of the district鈥檚 offer.
鈥淭he claim that the district attempted to sidestep the union is simply inaccurate,鈥� the statement said.
A Dec. 9 letter from the union bargaining committee to council stated that management鈥檚 offer for Peachland was significantly below several other Okanagan municipalities.
"Without equality, Peachland will not attract and retain quality staff. There is no incentive for an employee to stay, nor is there an attraction for new staff to apply for future positions,鈥� the letter stated.
