Paramed Employees Vote Overwhelmingly to Ratify First Contract Providing Wage Increases and Other Improvements

Oshawa, ON—Employees working in the office and clerical department of ParaMed Home Health Care in Oshawa voted 95 percent in favour of ratifying their first collective agreement providing them with wage increases and numerous improvements to their working terms and conditions.

The employees are represented by Healthcare and Service Workers Union, CLAC Local 304. The union was certified by the Ontario Labour Relations Board on September 17, 2020, to represent the 60 office and clerical employees. The successful ratification follows on the heels of the ratification by ParaMed’s 600-plus personal support workers and home support workers of their first collective agreement in April 2021.

The three-year contract provides office and clerical employees with significant wage increases and the establishment of a wage grid. Other monetary improvements include improvements to benefits, sick time, and bereavement leave. The agreement also includes provisions for job postings, seniority, and scheduling language and ensures that no superior monetary provisions would be rolled back.

“ParaMed workers needed an advocate to pursue their best interests, and that’s what we are here to do,” says Kevin Gates, CLAC representative. “Consistency and fairness were two of the biggest drivers for them to join CLAC. We look forward to providing much more for them over the coming years.”