Bargaining Update: Provincial Framework Approved

Just a quick update that the CUPE K-12 President’s Council have endorsed a Provincial Framework Agreement, which is the agreement that governs school districts and support worker unions across British Columbia. This sets things like wage increases, benefits, and protections against workplace violence. Visit CUPE K-12 for more informationVisit CUPE K-12 for more information.

Your CUPE476 bargaining committee still needs to meet with our employer to complete local bargaining, we will keep you informed as this process moves forward.

FYI – “No Unpaid Work”

At this time of year, there are many requests for our members to volunteer their time after work. Here is a relevant line from the K-12 President’s Council’s Provincial Framework Agreement; the document that lays out a province-wide standard for school support workers:

In accordance with the Employment Standards Act, no employee shall be required or permitted to perform unpaid hours of work.

We hope this is helpful. Have a wonderful holiday season!

FYI – Vacation

The amount of vacation time each CUPE476 member is entitled to each year is determined by the number of years they have worked for the school district:

  • Less than 1 year: 0.834 days per month
  • After 1 year: 2 weeks per year
  • After 2 years: 3 weeks per year
  • After 7 years: 4 weeks per year
  • After 15 years: 5 weeks per year
  • After 20 years: 6 weeks per year

The amount an employee is entitled to is based on 2% of their previous year’s earnings per week. This does not include income not paid by the district (LIF funds are exempt, for example) (Collective Agreement, Section 22.01).

In addition, starting on their tenth year of service and every five years after that, the employee will receive a single week of supplementary vacation (22.02).

Broadly speaking, CUPE476 members can be divided into twelve-month and ten-month workers, with ten-month workers being laid off at the end of the school year. Both groups of workers are entitled to vacation time. however, due to the nature of our work, the way those vacations are distributed is different.

  • Twelve-month employees can take vacations throughout the year, they must request time off for vacations one month in advance.
  • Ten-month employees are paid out for their vacation time on each paycheque, and are expected to take their vacation during the breaks in the school year. This restriction does not apply to supplementary vacation.