Friday, August 16, 2019

Ontario Healthcare Ratifications

Anne Hathaway Residence

Local 305 members employed by this retirement home in Stratford voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new 3-year collective agreement. The new contract provides them with 6% wage increases across the board over the term, increases to the pension plan, and the introduction of a medication premium.

Chartwell Alexander Muir Retirement Residence

Local 304 members employed by this retirement home in Newmarket ratified a collective agreement with 93% voting in favour of the new 3-year contract. Approximately 50 employees work at the home. Previously, the employees had been represented by two other unions over the years, but made the switch to CLAC Local 304 in October 2018. This is their first contract negotiated by Local 304.

Along with general wage increases of 6% over the term, employees secured premiums for weekend, evening, and night shifts. They also maintained their sick-days bank, which was an important goal for the employees heading into negotiations.

Another key goal was clearer language around job postings and responses to requests for days off in-lieu-of-benefits and vacation. The previous contracts negotiated by the employees’ former unions had left definitions for full-time and part-time positions vacant. This allowed the employer to move positions around. The new agreement ends this practise by providing clear definitions of what full- and part-time positions are and including them in the master schedule. Now, employees will no longer have to wait months for a response to their request for days off.

Chatham-Kent VON

Registered practical nurses with the Chatham-Kent VON voted 89% in favour of a new 4-year collective agreement. The nurses, who are members of Local 303, provide homecare throughout the region. The new contract provides them with lump sum payments to compensate for the last 3 years and a modest wage increase for the 4th year.

CSH (Oxford Gardens) Inc.

Local 303 members employed by CSH in Woodstock ratified a new 3-year collective agreement providing them with wage increases and other improvements. The new contract provides the 79 members with a 2% per year wage increase as well as improvements to the vacation grid and access to shift giveaways for full-time employees.

“We know that healthcare can be a tough environment to negotiate in right now,” says Ashley Casey, a guest attendant at the home and member of the union bargaining committee. “We decided to focus on what we could realistically achieve.”

“We are confident it’s a good contract,” says fellow bargaining committee member Stacey Silver, who is a care provider at the home. “We know that it will only get better each time we go back to negotiate.”

The agreement is only the second one negotiated with the employer since the employees joined Local 303 in 2016.

IOOF Seniors Home Inc.

Local 304 members employed by IOOF ratified a new 2-year collective agreement providing them with wage increases while maintaining long-standing sick bank pay outs. Local 304 has represented the 265 members working at the home since 1987. The contract provides them with a 2.8% wage increase over the term. Increases to the weekend premium were also negotiated.

“It was important to the membership that we preserve long-standing sick bank pay outs,” says Rhianna Soule, a food service worker, steward, and member of the union bargaining committee. “The employer was adamant that the provision be removed, but we were able to maintain it during negotiations.”

“This was my first time at the bargaining table,” says Karen Greenhalgh, a personal support worker, steward, and member of the union bargaining committee. “It was an eye opener for sure. I’m happy the new contract was settled with ease.”

Village on the Thames

Registered practical nurses employed by Village on the Thames in Chatham voted unanimously in favour of a 3-year contract providing them with wage increases and other improvements. Local 303 has represented RPNs at the home since 2002. The new contract provides them with annual wage increases, benefits improvements, and some additional flexibility to their working schedules.

Ontario Healthcare Ratifications

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