City of Markham and CUPE Locals 905.14 and 905.15 Reach Four-Year Agreements

The City of Markham and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Locals 905.14 and 905.15 have ratified four-year collective agreements for Markham's unionized employees.

The previous collective agreements expired on March 31, 2016. The agreements were ratified by Council on August 10, 2017 and by the Union on August 17, 2017.

“I am delighted we have reached this four-year agreement with our unionized employees. I congratulate the union executive and bargaining teams for their effective leadership in controlling costs through these agreements,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “The new pregnancy and parental leave benefits will have a tremendous impact on our unionized CUPE Local 905 employees and their families. We strongly believe this is a fair agreement and one that ensures continued outstanding service value to our residents.”

Details of the agreements include a wage increase of 1.5 per cent in both 2016 and 2017, 1.575 per cent in 2018, and 1.6 per cent in 2019 for unionized employees along with a vision care uplift and the pregnancy and parental leave supplemental benefit. The supplemental benefit applies to eligible full-time employees and will provide them with a supplemental leave benefit consisting of five days at full pay (for a parent), followed by 16 weeks (pregnancy – for a mother) and/or 10 weeks (parental – for a parent) both of which are paid at the difference between the Employment Insurance benefit and 75% of regular earnings for a combined maximum benefit of 27 weeks. These agreements continue to provide a strong operational framework for both parties.
The new agreement for unionized staff is consistent with the four-year general wage increase for Markham's full-time non-union employees.

Andy Taylor, Markham's Chief Administrative Officer said, "The ratification of this agreement is an important step for both parties and demonstrates our commitment to ensure there is a healthy balance between an environment of economic constraint and the important role our employees play in delivering exceptional municipal services to the City of Markham."

"Over the next four years, this agreement provides our members, the City of Markham, and most importantly residents with the assurance that they will continue to receive the quality public services they expect and deserve," said Dave Davies, Unit Chair of CUPE Locals 905.14 and 905.15.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti: mayorscarpitti@markham.ca or 905.475.4872.

Media inquiries / interview requests: Corporate Communications & Community Engagement Department at media@markham.ca or 905.415.7548.

About Markham: Markham, a municipality with 350,000 residents centrally located in the Greater Toronto area, is home to over 400 corporate head offices and more than 1,100 high tech and life science companies. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community, enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and multiple heritage and environmental awards.