Unionized workers at Kelowna’s airport and and the City of Kelowna have ratified a new five-year collective agreement.
The agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015 and runs through to Dec. 31, 2019.
“This five-year agreement provides fair compensation for employees while enhancing airport service and operational flexibility,” said Stu Leatherdale, director of human resource and corporate performance for the city.
“The annual increases are in line with the CUPE civic collective agreement and will help to ensure the City of Kelowna can attract and retain the diverse and skilled work force we’ll need over the next five years.”
YLW served 1.6 million passengers in 2014 and currently sees 66 daily commercial flights.
“The new agreement balances the needs of CUPE Local 338 – Airport and the City of Kelowna,” said Kevin Vleeming, CUPE unit chairman. “Our members continue take pride in delivering high quality services that help keep the airport running smoothly and safely.”
The new agreement,which covers 27 airport workers, will see salary increase of two per cent this year, 1.5 per cent in 2016, 1.5 per cent in 2017, two per cent in 2018 and 1.5 per cent in 2019 for a total of 8.5 per cent over the five-year life of the contract.
The airport workers covered by the new deal provide support to airport operations such as emergency services, snow removal, equipment and runway maintenance and general administration, as well as to the airlines and retailers that operate at the city-owned and operated facility .
