Municipal workers in Cumberland, represented by CUPE 556, met Monday to ratify a new tentative agreement with the Village of Cumberland.

The four-year agreement includes a two per cent wage increase in each year of the agreement and minor improvements to extended health benefits.

鈥漈his was a difficult round of negotiations, where we were faced with several concessions,鈥� says Andrea Samsom, CUPE 556 Unit vice-president for Cumberland. 鈥淲e are relieved to have concluded bargaining and to have certainty and stability for both CUPE members and the community. We look forward to continuing to provide efficient and reliable public community services to residents and businesses in Cumberland.鈥�

The new agreement is for the period of Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2020 and was reached with the assistance of a mediator through the BC Labour Relations Board.

The Village has a meeting scheduled Monday, June 12 to vote on the new agreement.

CUPE 556 represents approximately 30 members in Cumberland who provide a range of services to residents and businesses. The union also represents members in Comox, Courtenay and the Comox Valley Regional District.