Garden Valley School Division Librarians and School Administrative Assistants Ratify New Contracts

Winkler, MB—Library technicians and school administrative assistants employed by Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) voted in favour of ratifying two new four-year collective agreements. The employees are represented by Education, Service, and Healthcare Union, CLAC Local 306.

Highlights of the two new contracts include year-over-year percentage wage adjustments in line with other public-sector agreements. In addition, special adjustments to boost wages will take effect July 1, 2024.

“Both of these new agreements are in many ways similar to the agreement reached for educational assistants in December 2023,” says Geoff Dueck Thiessen, regional director of CLAC’s Winnipeg Member Centre. “They draw attention to the crucial, often behind-the-scenes work done by these administrative professionals. Collective agreement renewals are a good time to be reminded of how it takes many invested, intelligent, capable people to deliver education. Our members put much more passion and energy into student learning than most would realize. And while this agreement is a decent one, I believe we continue to undervalue the contributions these folks are making. This is a good opportunity to remind the public, the taxpayer, that investing in these kinds of jobs does bring a good return and needs adequate funding.”

Library technicians and school administrative assistants employed by GVSD have been represented by CLAC Local 306 since 2005. Since that time, they have received professional representation in bargaining and every day in the workplace. They also participate in a high-value, low-cost health benefits plan that helps provide for their and their family members’ needs.