The union representing employees at the City of St. John’s, N.L. ratified a collective agreement that includes enhanced bereavement leave.

The agreement increases bereavement leave from three to five days for a spouse, child/stepchild or grandchild. The term “legal guardian” will be added for a three-day entitlement and an additional paid day will be included if the funeral takes place outside the province.

Read: Kleenzone, Unifor agreement includes enhanced bereavement leave

The agreement also includes a wage increase of 11 per cent over four years with a $1,000 signing bonus.

“There were no wage increases in the previous agreement and so wages were a priority for our members this time around,” said Gord Evans, president of CUPE 569, in a press release. “We’re satisfied with the outcome of this round of bargaining, especially taking into consideration the high cost of living these days.”

Read: United Way B.C., CUPE reach agreement to improve mental-health coverage