UBC and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) locals 116, 2950 and 2278 reached tentative collective agreements on Jan. 31, after multiple days of special mediation and a half-day full strike.
SFU, the University of Victoria and UNBC also reached tentative collective agreements with their CUPE locals. The settlements are for three years retroactive to April 1, 1999 for both locals 116 and 2950 and to Sept. 1, 1999 for Local 2278.
The agreements, which fall under the provincial wage guidelines of zero, zero and two per cent wage increases over three years contain a number of language and otherimprovements and must now be ratified by both the union membership and the university. The universities and the unions also reached a public sector accord on university issues, specifically pay equity and health and welfare benefits.