Earlier today, members at Kamloops Airport voted in favour of their tentative agreement. The new five-year agreement will usher in better and safer working conditions for these airport employees.

The bargaining team was able to secure wage increases of 2.50% per year for 2018 and 2019 and 2.25% per year for 2020, 2021 and 2022. The standby premium has also increased from $16.50 to $18.

The new collective agreement also affords workers greater flexibility when it comes to leave. For starters, members will be eligible for additional vacation leave after seven years, instead of eight. Improvements were also made to allow greater flexibility around bereavement and family-related leave.

Members will benefit from increased job security as well; new language has been added to curb the use of contacting out. What’s more, two new positions have been added: APT1 and groundskeeper.

Kamloops Airport employees who would like additional details on their new collective agreement should refer to their ratification package.

UCTE would like to extend its sincere thanks to the bargaining team for a job well done. Congratulations to Dan Maloney, Barry Tchir and Erna Post.