CASTLEGAR, B.C. – United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-405 announced today that the 12 USW members at StellerVista Credit Union at the Castlegar and Slocan Park branches have ratified a new 3-year collective agreement retroactive to May of 2024 following a close membership vote yesterday in Castlegar.
“It took 150 days of our small but strong group to demonstrate we weren’t going to just take the concessions the employer was trying to get,” said Veronica Tanner, USW 1-405 Financial Secretary and lead negotiator. “We were able to secure paid personal time off, although not as flexible as it was, but in exchange we gained a significant increase in paid vacation, a 5% wage increase in years 2 and 3 and as well, an $8500 lump sum payment.”
The members were also able to secure a large majority of the banking benefits offered to long-term employees and retirees that have never been part of the collective bargaining agreement.
“This wasn’t easy and our small group filled two picket lines in Slocan Park and Castlegar by themselves over the past four and half months,” added Tanner. “We weren’t going to lose all of those hard-earned benefits and I think we demonstrated that.”
USW 1-405 also wanted to personally thank the members of the credit union, the communities of the Slocan Valley, Castlegar and surrounding areas for their steadfast support. As well, to the many locals of the Steelworkers across Canada that sent support to our members throughout the strike.
The USW Local 1-405 is a diverse union representing over 1,300 workers in Sawmills, Credit Unions, Insurance Services, Hotels, Ski Resorts and Municipal workers in the East and West Kootenays.
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