Thursday, March 8, 2018

Caressant Care Retirement Home Employees Gain Stability with New Contract

Woodstock, ON—Local 303 members working at Caressant Care Retirement Home in Woodstock have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new three-year collective agreement.

Highlights of the agreement include two percent wage increases for each year of the contract; increases to the weekend premium, responsibility premium, and benefits; improvements to the vacation grid for long term staff; and a shortened qualifying period for pension enrolment.

There are also important language improvements for the minimum shift length requirement and the possible implementation of master scheduling language for registered practical nurses.

Caressant Care Woodstock is a retirement home attached to the long term care home where convicted murderer Elizabeth Wettlaufer worked. “This had created an interesting bargaining context, given the financial impact that had on Caressant Care and the subsequent challenges it created for the retirement home,” says James Koopman, CLAC representative. “Changes to the Employment Standards Act also added extra bargaining pressure. There’s been instability in recent times, but the committee was able to negotiate an agreement that provides long term stability for the members at Caressant Care.”

Caressant Care Retirement Home Employees Gain Stability with New Contract

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