Friday, December 19, 2025

Heatherwood Retirement Residence Employees Unanimously Ratify New Two-Year Contract

ST. CATHARINES, ON—Local 302 members at Heatherwood Retirement Residence, a retirement home in St. Catharines, Ontario, owned by Aspira Living, voted unanimously in favour of ratifying a two-year collective agreement providing them with annual wage increases and numerous other improvements. The local 302 represented the home’s employees since 1988.

The new contract, which runs from July 15, 2025, to July 14, 2027, provides members with general annual wage increases of 3.5 percent—a significant gain considering current industry trends. A new medical care provider (MCP) classification has been introduced, while some positions and premiums were updated to reflect evolving staffing models.

The agreement also provides the 75 members employed by the home with other meaningful improvements, including

two new premiums: a $1 per hour lead-hand premium and a $1 per hour orientation premium for employees training new hires;
vacation language updates: aligning the vacation year with practice, adding clarity around scheduling, carryover, and payouts, and introducing a $250 service gift for employees reaching 20 years;
updated bereavement provisions that now recognize memorials, celebrations of life, and other commemorative events;
continuation of the uniform allowance through July 14, 2027, alongside the introduction of employer-provided uniform tops beginning in 2026; and
new standard clauses promoting a resident abuse-free environment and outlining an attendance management policy consistent with human rights protections.

“These negotiations took teamwork, patience, and persistence,” says Isobel Farrell, CLAC representative. “We’re proud that this new agreement recognizes the real challenges members face while providing fair pay, respect, and clarity around key provisions. We’re pleased that the settlement received unanimous support from the membership.”

Heatherwood Retirement Residence Employees Unanimously Ratify New Two-Year Contract

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