MoveUP has reached a tentative agreement on behalf of approximately 650 members at Accenture Business Services, a contractor for BC Hydro. The union is encouraging members to ratify the agreement, which will protect existing rights and entitlements through August 31, 2015.

In addition, all full-time regular employees will receive a $1500 signing bonus, and part-time regular, full-time temporary and casual employees will receive a $1000 signing bonus.

“We’re pleased that this agreement protects the members’ existing rights. Initially Accenture was hoping to wring concessions from the membership, but we felt that wasn’t acceptable,” said MoveUP Vice-President Gwenne Farrell.

Farrell also noted that ongoing issues around sick leave and attendance management will now go to a joint union-management committee.

“Our goal is going to be to make the sick leave process fairer for members and arrive at language by December 2014 that both parties can agree to put in the next collective agreement in the next round of negotiations,” Farrell explained.

Finally, the tentative agreement includes minor changes to the voluntary retirement plan to give members better options.

Ratification meetings are currently being set up and members will have an opportunity to vote soon on whether to accept the proposed deal.