MoveUP union members achieve first collective agreement at Victoria Bug Zoo
July 24, 2024
MoveUP is pleased to announce that our unionized members at the Victoria Bug Zoo have achieved their first collective agreement with their employer, thanks to an consent award from Arbitrator Gabriel Somjen.
“It has been a long process from when the workers at the Victoria Bug Zoo first joined our union in the Fall of 2022 to reaching this first collective agreement, but we are very happy that our members now have a strong collective agreement,” said MoveUP Vice-President Christy Slusarenko. “We are also grateful for the work of Arbitrator Somjen to help both parties come to this deal.”
Among the highlights in this collective agreement include: a pay increase from the BC minimum wage ($17.40 per hour) to $21 per hour; reduced surveillance in employee-only areas; limiting of touring shift lengths; and the establishment of an Occupational Health & Safety Committee.
“Even in the most fun and magical workplace, workers need collective bargaining to make our voices heard,” said Liz Cronin, a worker at the Victoria Bug Zoo and member of MoveUP’s bargaining committee. “The Bug Zoo workers love where we work. We love bugs, and we love helping people get to know these special creatures. Thanks to the support of our union, MoveUP, we can now do that with the assurance and clarity of a collective agreement for the first time in the 25-plus year history of this special Victoria science education attraction.”
“It’s been a journey to get here, but we’re excited for the future,” said Alyssa Allen, who also works at the Bug Zoo and was a member of MoveUP’s bargaining committee. “All of us at the Bug Zoo care deeply about the work we do, and have a collective agreement makes all of us stronger and better able to do our jobs of taking care of these incredible bugs and sharing our passion with visitors from Victoria and around the world.”
MoveUP members who work at the Victoria Bug Zoo help care for over 70 species of animals, all with specific care needs, and provide educational tours to guests of all ages who visit the zoo. They help those who want an up-close experience touch and hold many of the animals. Bug Zoo workers also do maintenance and cleaning work within the facility.