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Ontario development services workers improve wages and working conditions in new agreement

“This settlement sets a minimum standard for decent contracts in the Developmental Services sector. No one should be getting less,” says OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

Toronto (12 April 2012) - Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) employed by Montage Support Services ratified a new collective agreement on April 1.

The contract matches the pattern deal already reached by more than a dozen developmental services locals. Wage improvements and other gains were made, while the bargaining team pushed back the employer’s demand that full-time staff pay half the cost of health care premiums. The four-year contract runs from April 1, 2010 to March 30, 2014.

“This settlement sets a minimum standard for decent contracts in the Developmental Services sector. No one should be getting less,” says OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

OPSEU Local President Onika Farinha said, “The incredible support of the membership meant the bargaining team was able to hold firm with the employer on key issues although, despite our attempts, we were unable to achieve better gains for our part-time staff in this round of negotiations. Our part-time staff often work as many hours as full-time employees and they need to be recognized for their commitment.”

The agreement includes wage increases between 2.1 per cent to 3.5 per cent depending on their classification in each of the last two years of the contract, a one-time educational stipend for 2010 and 2011, improved mileage rates, improved bereavement leave, and an agreement to have a pension plan presentation.

Frontline workers at Montage provide support services to adults with multiple disabilities in Toronto and surrounding communities.

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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE