Vancouver Art Gallery reaches new collective agreement with CUPE Local 15

VAG employees to receive wage increases, provisions around remote work

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY and CUPE Local 15 have today announced the ratification of a new collective agreement.

CUPE Local 15 is the union that represents the organization’s 159 bargaining unit employees.

The new agreement is effective from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026.

Under the four-year agreement, employees will receive a 2.75 percent increase plus an additional 25 cents per hour in year one, with a 2.5 percent increase in year two and a 2 percent increase in each of years three and four.

The deal also includes new provisions around remote work to best support the evolving needs of employees and Gallery operations.’

The Gallery and CUPE Local 15 began collective bargaining in February 2023. The parties met a total fof 13 times over the past four months, with members ratifying the new Collective Agreement on June 8.

“We are pleased to have completed this round of negotiations and reached a deal that provides stability for workers and improved services for Vancouver Art Gallery visitors,” CUPE 15’s VAG Bargaining Committee said in a release. “CUPE 15 members who work at the Vancouver Art Gallery are passionate about the work they do and the impact it has on our community. We look forward to continuing to work with the Vancouver Art Gallery to provide high wuality services and an enjoyable guest experience for all Vancouver Art Gallery visitors.”

Anthony Kiendl, CEO and director of the Vancouver Art Gallery, added: “As the Gallery continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to have reached a deal with CUPE Local 15 so that staff and management can focus on delivering rich and engaging exhibitions, programs and access to art for the people of British Columbia. I would like to thank CUPE Local 15 for the spirit of collaboration that was achieved during these negotiations, and also our staff, for their continued dedication and commitment.”

Having just opened at the VAG is Fashion Fictions, which runs to October 8. The exhibition's launch took the form of an epic Art Party and features couture, streetwear, sneakers, headgear, and other pieces of wearable design that meet at the intersection of art and style. Stay tuned to Stir for more coverage.

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