Executive Council
December 12, 2008

Tentative Agreement Reached with CUPE Group Homes

The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, announced today that the Provincial Government has reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Group Homes.

"I am pleased that we have been successful in reaching a tentative agreement with CUPE group homes," said Minister Kennedy. "This group, including approximately 100 staff of group and transition homes, represents a dedicated group of individuals who make meaningful change in the lives of others. We are pleased to recognize their important contribution to the residents of this province and for the sacrifice they have made in the past by providing a 20 per cent wage increase over four years."

CUPE National Representative Ed White said: "We�re very happy to have this contract settled. With the wage increases and other improvements, this is a settlement we can be very proud of."

The Provincial Government reached an agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees earlier this year and announced an agreement with the Association of Allied Health Professionals this afternoon. The tentative agreement reached with CUPE group homes represents the third such agreement with public sector employees, and wage increases of 8-4-4-4 per cent in each of the following four years, or 21.5 per cent compounded over four years.

CUPE group homes includes the Labrador Group Home, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; the John Howard Society Group Home, St. John�s; Committee on Family Violence, Corner Brook; Iris Kirby House, St. John�s; Libra House, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; and Naomi Centre, St. John�s. Their collective agreement expired on June 30, 2008.