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UPDATE: Cariboo Regional District staff head back to work

CRD staff are heading back to work after a nearly two-month strike by workers across the Cariboo region.
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Cariboo Regional District. (Williams Lake Tribune photo)

Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) have struck a deal which has staff back at work on July 4.

BCGEU members voted to accept a new tentative agreement offer by the CRD on July 3 after nearly two months of strike action.

A BCGEU news release stated the new agreement ratified by members will see staff receive a 12.5 per cent pay increase over three years, increased maximum vacation entitlement and fairer call-back language, among other improvements. The agreement is in effect from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2026. 

Murray Daly, chief administrative officer (CAO) for the CRD said the CRD is happy to have reached a deal and he hopes to put the negativity aside.

He is happy to have reached a deal and he hopes they can focus on the positives and rebuild relationships going forward as staff return to their jobs.

Paul Finch, president of the BCGEU said the strike showed how important the members are to the CRD operations but the support of the community helped get the strikers through the tough labour dispute.

"I have no doubt that the solidarity forged on those picket lines will continue to serve our members, well into the future, as they continue to push for improved working conditions and a more community-centric Cariboo Regional District,” he stated in the release. 

As the CRD operations return to normal, people seeking building permits, planning support and library services will likely still see some delays and Daly asked the public for patience as staff work to deal with the backlog. 

Public libraries are not reopening immediately as staff deal with catching up on cataloguing and administrative tasks. Williams Lake, Quesnel and 100 Mile House libraries will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 9.

The initial offer of 11 per cent over three years had been rejected by the members back in May. Both sides had blamed the other for break downs in the negotiations during the strike.

The CRD administers services across the Cariboo region and has offices in Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House.





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