Ucco Tentative Agreement

After weeks of negotiations, the United Church of Canada (UCC) has announced a tentative agreement with its employees` union, the United Church of Canada Staff Association (UCCSA). The deal comes after months of uncertainty for UCC workers, who have been working without a contract since the previous agreement expired on December 31, 2020.

The new agreement, which still needs to be ratified by both the UCCSA membership and the UCC`s General Council Executive, covers over 200 employees across the country. The terms of the deal include a salary increase of 1.5% in each year of the three-year contract, improved job security provisions, and enhancements to benefits such as extended health and dental coverage.

The UCC and UCCSA have been negotiating since early 2021, with several rounds of talks taking place virtually due to pandemic restrictions. The two sides had been at odds over issues such as workload, wages, and sick leave. However, both parties expressed satisfaction with the final agreement.

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the UCC Staff Association that recognizes the valuable contributions of our employees and provides them with fair and equitable compensation,” said Mark MacDonald, Executive Officer at the United Church of Canada.

The UCCSA echoed this sentiment in a statement released on its website, saying that the new agreement “reflects a commitment to our members, to the work we do, and to the communities we serve.”

If ratified, the agreement will bring much-needed stability for UCC employees, who have been facing uncertainty and potential job action for months. It also signals a positive step forward for the UCC, which has been grappling with financial challenges in recent years.

Overall, the tentative agreement is a positive development for both the UCC and its employees. It represents a fair compromise that balances the needs of the organization with the well-being of its workforce. As the UCCSA membership prepares to vote on the deal, it is hoped that it will be approved and lead to a brighter future for all involved.