PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3799 has ratified a collective agreement with the University of Northern British Columbia. Improvements for union members include improved reporting of sick leave, post-retirement benefits, doubling of overtime banks and the length of time available to use up overtime banks, additional unpaid bereavement leave for cultural practices related to bereavement, such as headstone moving or tribal feasts, increased vacation for long-term employees and the ability to carry over vacation days, establishing equivalency for postings and recognizing equivalency in selections and the right for union members to adjust their hours without loss of pay to attend union membership meetings, the union said in a statement on May 20. Letters of intent address protection for whistleblowers, protective footwear and the ability to get safety prescription glasses.