Highways workers reach tentative deal with Emil Anderson Maintenance

Job action averted in Fraser Valley, Canyon and Coquihalla

The BC Government and Service Employees' Union has reached a tentative settlement with highways contractor Emil Anderson Maintenance in the Fraser Valley service region.

Ratification votes will be held Thursday and Friday.

The tentative settlement includes salary increases of at least 3% in each year of a five year contract as well as improvements to sick benefits, training, auxiliary recall provisions and auxiliary wages.

"This tentative agreement offers real gains for our members," said BCGEU President George Heyman. "Through some hard bargaining and the assistance of mediator Vince Ready, we have established a provincial pattern on core issues and negotiated fair collective agreements with contractors in most parts of the province."

The 135 workers employed by Emil Anderson maintain more than 2,400 kilometres of roads and highways in the eastern Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon including Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Manning Park, Hope and Boston Bar. They also maintain the southern portion of the Coquihalla Highway.