It’s a new year and a new deal for over 80 highway and library employees in Bruce County.
A new contract between Bruce County and workers in its Highways and Library departments is now official.
County Council has ratified both agreements for CUPE members in each department — and the unions have also ratified the deal.
Director of Human Resources Doug Harris says the collective agreement can now be put together.
Harris says it’s a one year agreement with a one percent wage increase, and all other benefits will stay the same.
Harris says the County recognized the economy was in a difficult state and he believes the union did as well.
He says that recognition led the two sides to settle on the one percent increase and believes it was a fair decision.
The highways contract covers 25 full time and 23 seasonal staff and the library contract covers 35 part time staff.
The previous contract for CUPE members in the Bruce County Highways and Library departments expired on December 31st, 2009.