January 27, 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers;

Congratulations to our Brothers and Sisters at IBEW 258 (BC Hydro) who on Jan 24/2023, ratified a 3-year agreement (with 71% support of acceptance) after a year at the bargaining table. The deal will see substantive increases for the membership, who will not see an erosion of their pay and benefits over the life of the agreement because of the COLA protection language embedded in the MOU:

• Effective April 1, 2022: Increase all rates of pay by a flat rate of $0.25 per hour and then a 3.24% general wage increase.
• Effective April 1, 2023: Increase all rates of pay by the annualized average of BC CPI over twelve months starting on March 1, 2022 to a minimum of 5.5% and a maximum of 6.75%, subject to the COLA MOU.
• Effective April 1, 2024: Increase rates of pay by the annualized average of BC CPI o over twelve months starting on March 1, 2023 to a minimum of 2.0% and a maximum of 3.0%, subject to the COLA MOU.
• An adjustment to all premiums in the Collective agreement equivalent to COLA over the life of the agreement.
• The Agreement will give every member a $0.25/hr increase (this represents approximately .5-1%) and guarantees the minimum of 10.75% up to 13% (if inflation is higher than minimums) over 3 years, not to mention the many other improvements contained in the 98 page MOA. On wages alone (combined) this agreement represents GWI’s of approximately 11.25%-11.75% (minimum) with COLA assurance up to 14%.

The Unifor (Manitoba Hydro) arbitration decision is expected to be delivered in the next week and we anticipate this will positively impact any future offer from Manitoba Hydro. The Negotiating committee currently have tentative bargaining dates of Feb 9th/2023 (still not Confirmed) and Feb 15th/2023 (Confirmed). Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant weekend!

In solidarity,

Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 2034