Monday, March 7, 2022 United Mennonite Home Employees Receive Disappointing Arbitration Award Locals Local 302 Ratifications Sectors Healthcare Vineland, ON—Employees of United Mennonite Home for the Aged in Vineland finally have a new collective agreement following a recent arbitration award. The employees are represented by Niagara Healthcare and Service Workers Union, CLAC Local 302. The union has represented them since 1978. The previous contract had expired July 31, 2020. When the two sides failed to reach a negotiated settlement, the dispute went to arbitration. Under the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act, hospitals and nursing homes are required to resolve collective agreement disputes by compulsory arbitration. Due to the Ontario government’s Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019, wage increases awarded by the arbitrator were limited to one percent annually over the three-year term. Annual increases were also made to weekend premiums and part-time in-lieu amounts. “We’re very frustrated and disappointed with this award due to the limitations imposed by Bill 124,” says Isobel Farrell, regional director of the union’s Grimsby Member Centre. “The one percent wage increases effectively reduce our members’ standard of living due to the high rate of inflation. The government needs to take action immediately to fix our broken healthcare system, starting by improving wages for healthcare workers.” You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026