Meaford nursing home achieves first contract with big gains for new OPSEU members

August 3, 2010

OPSEU’s bargaining team at Meaford Long Term Care is pleased to announce to the members of Local 289 that that they now have their first collective agreement. Arbitrator Dana Randall’s arbitration board issued its award under the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (HLDAA) on July 20, 2010.

The term of the collective agreement begins April 1, 2009 and expires July 31, 2011. Members gained a number of improvements.

On wages, an issue that was decided by the arbitrator, the increase will be 2.6 per cent as of April 1, 2009; 2 per cent April 1, 2010; and 1.75 per cent, April 1, 2011 (prorated).

Besides this, OPSEU achieved improvements in a number of areas members identified in demand-setting, including big improvements to the dental plan. Gains were also made in uniform allowances, time-in lieu, overtime, vacation, bereavement leave and other areas.

OPSEU organized the bargaining unit at MLTC in 2008, and the arbitration hearing was held in March 2010.