Thursday, July 25, 2024

Nova Pacific Care Employees Secure Annual Wage Increases with New Contract

Duncan, BC—Employees of Nova Pacific Care Inc. voted 81 percent in favour of ratifying a three-year collective agreement providing them with annual wage increases and other improvements.

The employees are represented by Service, Health, Manufacturing, and Allied Workers Union, CLAC Local 501. The union has represented the company’s employees since 1997.

The new contact provides employees with a five percent wage increase followed by four percent increases in each of the following years of the contract. In addition, the threshold requirement for qualifying for benefits was decreased to 16 hours per week from 20. Employees will also receive a one-time bonus of five additional vacation days after 20 years of service.

“I felt we carefully balanced and navigated negotiations while reaching a fair mutual agreement,” says Cathy Stewart, a member of the union bargaining committee and a union steward. “We discussed everyone’s viewpoints and had an enjoyable time finding common ground, which led to a beneficial settlement.”

“This year was my second time being involved with negotiations,” says Sylvia Mantyka, who also serves on the union bargaining team and is a union steward. “Negotiations went very well. Our union rep was well organized, and we had great communication by both sides as well as good feedback from members. All good negotiations begin with great relationships.”

Nova Pacific Care has facilities across Vancouver Island catering to independent retirement living. The 40 unionized employees include a head chef, chef, food service assistants, a head housekeeper, housekeepers, activities coordinator, and day/evening/weekend coordinators. The employees ensure spaces are kept clean, prepare meals, and serve them to the residents. They also coordinate different activities for seniors to ensure they keep busy.

Nova Pacific Care Employees Secure Annual Wage Increases with New Contract

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