Unionized library workers in Thompson-Nicola Regional District have a new four-year contract.

The deal is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019 and it has a 2.25 per cent wage increase this year, and a 2 per cent wage increases on January 1st in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

“The Board is very pleased to hear that TNRL and the BCGEU have now ratified their agreement,” said TNRD Board Chair Ken Gillis. “Our 13 library branches and Mobile Library provide excellent public service to the residents of the TNRD, and this agreement will help make these services sustainable for the future.”

There are also changes to some language in the contract and changes to vacation entitlement, special leave and health benefits.

BC Government Employees Union representative Brenda Beckman says these negotiations were challenging but says progress has been made on key issues.

The parties also agreed to some language changes that promote the effective operation of the library and support the needs of library employees.

This new deal will expire on Dec. 31, 2022, and the announcement comes four months after the TNRD agreed to a new five-year collective agreement with the CUPE Local 900.