City of Vancouver to offer unionized staff voluntary departure program

A seagull takes flight off a statue of Captain George Vancouver outside Vancouver City Hall, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The City of Vancouver is expanding its voluntary departure program to include unionized staff, according to the union representing city and parks staff.

The information bulletin was sent to CUPE Local 15 members on Jan 27, and outlines the latest in the labour adjustment plan, following Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC majority’s push to freeze property taxes.

In the bulletin, staff representative Joy Tullos said the union has been in discussions with the city to negotiate an adjustment plan “in an effort to mitigate impacts to our members following city council passing the ‘Zero Means Zero’ budget for 2026.”

According to the union, the city will initiate a conditional voluntary departure program for unionized staff, similar to what it previously offered in October for exempt staff.

As per CUPE Local 15, employees within the city and parks collective agreements will be invited to express their interest in the program, and the city will have discretion in deciding who is accepted.

Under the program, there are two options for employees who are approved – a lump-sum payment or a salary continuance.

Eligible employees interested in the voluntary departure program have until Feb. 10 to apply.

The ‘Zero Means Zero’ budget stemmed from Sim’s successful motion in October, which directed staff to find around $120 million in savings in the city budget.

To accommodate the tax freeze, 400 full-time positions are expected to be axed, with two-thirds of the cuts expected to be unionized jobs.

In December, the city laid off approximately 30 non-unionized staff members.