Union representing striking workers, Region of Waterloo reach tentative agreement
Workers have been on strike since March 3
The Region of Waterloo says they have reached a tentative agreement with the union representing outside workers.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 1656 represents people who work in departments including the airport, bus maintenance, landfill, roads and water.
Workers walked off the job on March 3. The union says it's calling for higher wages to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The agreement comes after the region announced last week it had provided its "final offer" to the union.
"I am pleased that a tentative deal has been reached with the union," regional Chair Karen Redman said in a release sent out Wednesday morning.
"I want to thank the Region of Waterloo bargaining team and the union executive team for reaching this point. We look forward to welcoming all CUPE Local 1656 employees back to work," she said, adding she understands residents have felt an impact from the strike and says services will be restored soon.
In the release, the region outlines the offer which includes a salary increase of almost 12 per cent to all positions over a three-year period, with a $1 per hour wage adjustment and 3.5 per cent increase in the first year.
"The offer also includes a commitment to undertake a market review for the skilled trades classifications along with several other enhancements, such as banked overtime, meal allowance and stand-by rates," the release said.
CUPE members need to vote on the deal before it is ratified at a special council meeting.