After working without a contract for more than two years, unionized staff at Community Living Meaford averted possible strike action today by ratifying a new four-year agreement with their employer.
The members of Local 235 represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union would have been in a legal strike position at midnight today. The members voted to accept the tentative deal at a meeting July 25.
“These workers should never have had to go more than two years without reaching a new contract with management,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “But their grit and perseverance paid off in the end.”
CLM members will see improvements in wages and working conditions as part of the deal which expires in 2014, with a total wage increase of approximately 1.5 per cent. This contract also provides for retroactive pay to April 1st of this year, to be paid out within 30 days. The agreement calls for a lump sum educational stipend of $300 for all regular employees (pro-rated for part-time employees), to be paid out within two weeks.
Developmental Services workers at Community Living Meaford provide support to people with disabilities in the Meaford area.
More information: please contact:
Andrea McCormack,
OPSEU Staff Representative
519-379-7159