We want to start by thanking everyone who was able to attend one of our bargaining info sessions last night. It was great to see so many of you participate, ask questions, and continue to be engaged in this round of negotiations.
We know that there are some members who weren’t able to attend, so we want to provide a summary of the information we shared last night. Hopefully this helps everyone feel like they have the most up-to-date information on bargaining and a clear understanding of next steps.
Bargaining Timeline
- Early 2025: bargaining committee elected and survey out to members for feedback
- September 2025: proposal package endorsed by members
- December 2025: first official bargaining sessions with the employer
- December 2025 – October 2026: 12 total days of negotiations, impasse reached on October 22
Where things stand with negotiations
We want to share a summary of where things currently stand with negotiations. The issues outlined below are the areas where we still need to see movement before we can reach an agreement that reflects what members have told us matters most.
While we’ve outlined these issues individually, it’s important to understand that your bargaining committee considers each issue as part of an overall package. Our focus is on reaching an agreement that, taken as a whole, addresses members’ priorities and meets the expectations you’ve shared with us.
Here’s where things currently stand:
- General Wage Increases
We are looking for wage increases in line with what other municipal workers in this region have already negotiated that also address increases to cost of living. The employer’s current offer currently does not fully address either of these issues. Here’s where we each stand on wages:
CUPE 458:
- January 1, 2026: 6.5%
- January 1, 2027: 5.5%
- January 1, 2028: 5%
Employer:
- January 1, 2026: 4.75%
- January 1, 2027: 4.5%
- January 1, 2028: 4.25%
- January 1, 2029: 4.25%
- Term of the agreement
Members made it clear that it was important to negotiate a term that will allow us to negotiate wages and working conditions again within a reasonable timeframe.
The employer has currently put forward a four-year agreement.
We’ve proposed a three-year agreement because we believe it strikes the right balance between stability, and the ability to negotiate changes to wages and working conditions without having to wait too long to return to the bargaining table.
- Extended Health Benefits
Members identified this as a key priority for this round of negotiations, and we’ve been advocating improvements at the bargaining table. We’ve discussed a variety of potential improvements with the employer, but any improvements have been tied to the employer’s wage and term proposal.
- Retirement Severance, Retirement Gratuity, Vacation Improvements, Probationary Rate and Length, and Pensionable Overtime Improvements
These are the areas we are looking to see some movement in. Currently the employer has been unwilling to have further discussions on these topics.
What’s next?
At this point, our plan is to apply for mediation through the BC Labour Relations Board. Mediation involves bringing in a neutral third party to help the union and employer work through outstanding issues.
It’s important to know that mediation is not binding. A mediator does not make decisions for you but helps both sides communicate better and hopefully find common ground.
The mediator can suggest solutions, but it’s up to the union and the employer to decide whether to accept them. If a tentative agreement is reached through mediation, we still hold a ratification vote where you get to vote on the agreement.
We also recognize that things can change quickly during bargaining. Your bargaining committee will continue to carefully assess our options and make strategic decisions that help move us closer to a new agreement.
Thanks again to everyone for their support, trust, and patience as we navigate through this round of negotiations. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns.
In solidarity,
the CUPE 458 Kent Bargaining Team