Union votes to ratify three-year CBA at Carleton

Support staff at Carleton University have returned to work, ending a nearly month-long work stoppage, reports CBC. Carleton Assistant VP, Human Resources Rob Thomas stated in a press release that “[t]he new agreement is a balanced, fair and reasonable settlement that protects the pension plan and its governance and keeps the plan financially sustainable. It also includes salary increases over three years, enhancements to benefits and improvements in contract language for CUPE 2424 members.” The pension plan, in particular, had reportedly remained the sticking point for the union, which claimed that the original language of the proposed CBA would allow the university to eliminate defined benefits without first consulting the union. According to the Ottawa Citizen, a new provision prohibits the university from unilaterally altering pension benefits. CBC | Ottawa Citizen | Carleton