CUMBERLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 7, 2017) - Municipal workers in Cumberland, represented by CUPE 556, met Monday to ratify a new tentative agreement with the Village of Cumberland.

The four-year agreement includes a two percent wage increase in each year of the agreement and minor improvements to extended health benefits.

"This was a difficult round of negotiations, where we were faced with several concessions," says Andrea Samsom, CUPE 556 Unit Vice President for Cumberland. "We are relieved to have concluded bargaining and to have certainty and stability for both CUPE members and the community. We look forward to continuing to provide efficient and reliable public community services to residents and businesses in Cumberland."

The new agreement is for the period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 and was reached with the assistance of a mediator through the BC Labour Relations Board.

The Village of Cumberland has a meeting scheduled on June 12 to vote on the new agreement.

CUPE 556 represents approximately 30 members in the Village of Cumberland who provide a wide range of services to the village's residents and businesses. CUPE 556 also represents members in the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay and the Comox Valley Regional District.