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OPSEU members ratify new contract with WSIAT

'Our bargaining team did a great job and we were successful in getting a very good deal for our members.'

Toronto (23 Dec. 2010) - Members of Local 527 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) have ratified a new collective agreement  with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).

Highlights include:

  • A five-year agreement effective July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015.
  • Raises of 2%, 2%, 2% in the first three years.
  • Increases in mileage and shift premiums.
  • Seniority provisions for fixed term (unclassified) employees when competing for positions internally.
  • Improvements in the grievance procedure.

The contract also includes new language requiring that the employer copy the local unit steward on letters confirming the new hire. This relieves the local of the burden of having to "find" new members.

Bereavement leave has also been extended to include stepmother, stepfather, step-grandparent and step-grandchild.

"The members told the bargaining team to get a deal that had improvements and not concessions," says Noela Oliveira, the bargaining team chair. "Our bargaining team did a great job and we were successful in getting a very good deal for our members."

NUPGE

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