The District of Peachland has responded to concerns regarding its ongoing bargaining process with CUPE Local 608, representing unionized employees.

A media release from the district states that after lengthy negotiations failed to produce a mutual agreement, it proceeded with a final offer vote in accordance with the Labour Relations Code. The statement says this was not an effort to bypass the union but a measure to advance discussions and ensure staff were fully informed of the proposal. Many employees had reportedly expressed a lack of awareness about the specifics of the district鈥檚 offer.

鈥淭he claim that the district attempted to sidestep the union is simply inaccurate,鈥� the statement reads.

The district also expressed concerns over recent communications from the bargaining committee to council. 鈥淔or instance, several critical points in the union鈥檚 comparison charts failed to provide an accurate comparison of compensation packages, and some of the data shared was not part of the ongoing discussions at the bargaining table,鈥� the media release stated. 鈥淭his inaccurate information risks skewing the understanding of the proposed offer.鈥�

An email from the union to council, dated Dec. 9, includes a chart that shows "position wages for recently signed contracts" at other Okanagan municipalities.

CUPE Local 608

"Management鈥檚 offer for Peachland is significantly below all of these municipalities," the email stated. "The last collective agreement spanned an unfortunate economic time due to the Covid pandemic. CUPE tracked the inflation through this time and determined that our wages are down 10.69 per cent because of this and to counter this, wages need to come up substantially."

The district highlighted the benefits package as a key component of its proposal, noting that its 100 per cent employer-paid benefits are among the most competitive in the region. Wage offers were carefully designed to reflect the unique financial and operational realities of smaller municipalities, according to the district鈥檚 statement.

The district says it values its employees and is committed to resolving any outstanding issues. Union documents show employees received wage increases of two per cent in 2019, 2022 and 2023. They received increases of 2.25 per cent in 2020 and 2021.

The union's email states it is asking for a fair agreement comparable to other regional municipalities. "Without equality, Peachland will not attract and retain quality staff. There is no incentive for an employee to stay, nor is there an attraction for new staff to apply for future positions." 

The most recent collective bargaining agreement between the two parties expired on June 30, 2024, and negotiations on a new contract paused on Oct. 24. 

Black Press Media has contacted CUPE Local 608 for comment.