The City of New Westminster and the Canadian Uno of Public Employees Local 387 have reached a new four-year collective agreement.
The collective agreement, effective Jan. 1, 2016, goes until Dec. 31, 2019 and includes a wage increase of seven per cent over the four-year period – 1.5 per cent in 2016, 1.5 per cent in 2017, two per cent in 2018 and two per cent in 2019.
According to a press release from the city, bargaining began in June 2016 and the parties reached a tentative agreement in late December.
“CUPE 387 ratified the new agreement with 96 per net support, “stated a press release from t eh city. “The agreement has been approved by New Westminster city council, the New Westminster Police Board and the New Westminster Public Library board. With this recent round of collective bargaining, both the city and the union committed to reaching a fair, reasonable and sustainable collective agreement.”
Queensborough woman honoured
A new street in Queensborough is being named in honour of a woman who made her mark on the community.
Council has endorsed Mable as the name of a new street in Queensborough, after consulting with the Queensborough Residents’ Association and the city’s community heritage commission.
“The name is in recognition of Mable Bowell, Queensborough’s first school teacher who taught in the area starting in 1911,” said a staff report. “She was the daughter of the well-known undertaker/funeral home owner, Samuel Bowell.”
Connecting the waterfront
New Westminster is funding a plan to connect Westminster Pier Park and Sapperton Landing Park.
Council approved a recommendation to support a partnership with TransLink to develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for linking the two parks. The city will allocate $50,000 from this year’s special projects budget toward the study, with TransLink also providing $50,000.
A staff report states that TransLink is supportive of cycling opportunities associated with the Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway.
“Due to overlapping scopes and timelines with the Pattullo Bridge replacement project, there is an opportunity to partner with TransLink to complete the conceptual designs and costing work for that connection that will allow it to be integrated properly with the new bridge and facilitate applications for grant funding,” said the report.
Arenex removed from register
The Queen’s Park Arenex is being removed from the city’s heritage register.
The roof and three walls of the 1938 building collapsed under the weight of snow on Dec. 19. Because the rest of the building will be demolished, it’s being removed from the city’s heritage register.
The Arenex was added to the heritage register in 2009 because it was valued for its architectural design and its cultural and social associations.
Project works way through process
The city will consider setbacks at the site of a future highrise and Urban Academy
On Feb. 20, council will consider a resolution to issue a development variance permit to vary the east side yard setback for the property at 100 Braid St. A staff report states that the setbacks are required in order to facilitate the subdivision of the property into two parcels – one for Urban Academy and another for Wesgroup’s tower.
According to the staff report, the variance will allow Wesgroup to continue leasing space within the existing building on Site 2 until redevelopment occurs.
“Urban Academy will proceed with the development of Site 1 subject to completion of the proposed subdivisions, council consideration of Urban Academy development permit application, demolition of the existing building on Site 1 and issuance of a building permit application for the proposed new school,” said the report.
