Jazz McPherson Happy Holidays 250-443-9088
Gazette Grand Forks
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015
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Union and city reach pact: no layoffs
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VOL 118 NO. 51
Sukie Lawrence, CUPE Local #4728 president, said The City of Grand Forks and the the union is very union have come to an agreement pleased at being that will save three full-time union able to come to an jobs within the city. The announce- agreement with the ment came in a press release sent city and save the jobs. out by the city on Monday. “After three ar“The City of Grand Forks and CUPE local #4728 are happy to an- duous months of and nounce that on Dec. 17 an agree- negotiations ment was reached that sees no job late night planning layoffs to the current outside works sessions, the union staff,” the release said. “The agree- is overjoyed to fiment includes not filling two cur- nally have reached rently vacant union positions, al- a mitigation agreelowing for two outside workers to ment with the City maintain their jobs. The third posi- of Grand Forks,” Lawrence. Noah and Vienna Dalla Lana are happy to visit with Santa and talk about what they want for tion will be absorbed through at- said trition (retirement) in 2016 and not “CUPE Local #4728 Christmas during the Old Fashioned Christmas Community Skate Thursday at the arena. has invested count- See more photos from the community skate on page 35. immediately through a layoff.” Craig Lindsay photo The release said that the decision less hours in this encontinues to respect the Asset Man- deavour to protect agement Investment Plan (AMIP), our valuable mem“Moving forward, the union ex“Local #4728 plans to do their which identifies significant finan- bers and their families from being ecutive hopes that if a situation like part in 2016 to make Grand Forks a cial gaps that exist within the orga- turned out to the street.” this were to arise again that the ne- better place to live, work and raise a Lawrence thanked the public for gotiation table will be the first op- family,” he said. nization. The vacant union positions that their consistent show of support tion,” he added. “Secure union jobs Mayor Frank Konrad was also will not be filled are the vacated and said their effort were recog- are an economic driver in our small pleased with the outcome as well positions of David Reid in public nized and very much appreciated. community and we believe that city and said the city and the workers works and Dolores council recognizes this. definitely reached the best solution. Sheets in engineering. We look to the new year “This process took longer and Reid and Sheets have to be a new beginning on was more difficult than was first both moved into manmany levels, not least of anticipated but I’m happy with the agement positions in which will be the mend- outcome and feel that we definitely their departments afing of fences between the reached the best solution for the ter the departures of union and its employer. staff, the organization and the citiRoger Huston and SaWe intend to move past zens of Grand Forks,” said Konrad. sha Bird respectively. this unfortunate event “The decision made by the admin“The AMIP presand are excited to have istration to terminate three union ents a balanced apan opportunity to focus positions was tough but both parproach to reach annuon our work.” ties were finally able to reach an al funding goals in the Lawrence said that all agreement that accomplished the amount of $300,000 the local CUPE members $300,000 annual savings for the orper annum that will hold their positions with ganization without the layoffs.” be achieved by reducthe city in the highest reThe operational changes the ing operational costs,” gard and are overjoyed city is undertaking under AMIP is the release also stated. at the opportunity to meant to gradually build reserve “This is part of the serve the public with the funds that will allow the city to $1.7 million needed to Local union rep (left) Sukie Lawrence and Mayor Frank Kon“highest degree of pro- grow the capital replacement fund replace the city’s ag- rad celebrate the city and union coming together to reach an fessionalism and dedica- and prepare for a financially susagreement that will save three jobs. submitted photo ing infrastructure.” tion.” tainable future.
CRAIG LINDSAY
Grand Forks Gazette Gayle Holmes
250.442.7516 gayleholmes1@gmail.com
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