The Village of Fruitvale and its municipal employees have ratified a new three-year contract.
According to CUPE, the collective agreement is retroactive to Feb. 28, 2025, and contains wage increases of three per cent, four per cent, and five per cent in each year. Workers voted 90 per cent in favour of accepting the deal.
“We were trying to achieve a fair agreement comparative to our neighbors that respected the struggles everyone and their families have been pressured with lately,” said Local 2087 vice-president and Fruitvale worker Kevin Pii.
“The last thing we wanted to do was disrupt this community and the services that everyone relies on. Because of this community and their generous support, we were able to achieve a new agreement. We stood together and our community stood with us. Thank you to everyone that supported us.”
Pii said in addition to the wage increase, the deal includes benefit improvements and changes to contract language.
He described the bargaining process as a “long and really challening road.” Workers approved a strike vote in March and issued 72-hour strike notice on Monday. The deal was announced the following day.
Pii said the contract covers an average of 10 members, but that varies seasonally, with the addition of summer students, temporary workers, and casuals working in the office.
We have asked mayor Wes Startup for comment as well.
