Staff at Heritage Credit Union and HG Insurance in Castlegar and Slocan Park have ratified a three-year collective agreement, which includes a two per cent wage increase in each year of the deal.

According to a statement issued by United Steelworkers Local 1-405, the deal follows 11 days of bargaining.

“The tentative agreement contains some real improvements in both collective agreements,” said lead negotiator, Jeff Bromley, financial secretary for Local 1-405 and lead negotiator.

Although the union did not release the exact percentage that voted in favour, Bromley said it was “overwhelming.”

“Wages and benefit improvements and some improved severance in case of closure or technological change were among the improvements that were agreed-to,” he said. “In this day and age of rising cost-of-living rates and the looming possibility of a major amalgamation of the seven credit unions in the Kootenay-Columbia-Boundary regions, we believe that our membership will embrace the agreement.”

Bromley said the tentative agreement also marks the first time in recent memory that a deal was reached without the help of a provincial mediator, although the membership did take a unanimous strike vote in July.

“I believe this may be a start to improving the contentious relationship between the two parties that’s been evident over the past three years,” continued Bromley. “Both committees did a great job. I want to thank the bargaining committee for their tireless work throughout this process and also the membership for their patience throughout the process.”

The deal covers 20 employees of Heritage Credit Union and ten at HG Insurance. Heritage Credit Union’s Greenwood branch is non-union.