9-week strike ends for Earlscourt workers

A judge of the Ontario Court (General Division) has ordered that the definition of spouse in the OPSEU Pension Plan be amended to include same sex couples.

The case goes back to 1992, when OPSEU and a number of other unions challenged the government’s decision to pay benefits to same sex couples from a special fund, not a registered pension plan. According to the unions, this arrangement was discriminatory because it required same sex couples to designate to whom their benefits would be paid.

In his decision, Justice Rivard agreed with the OPT Trustees that paying these benefits through a supplementary plan can result in delays, negative tax consequences, or loss of benefits for same-sex spouses. He concluded that, "when a discriminatory practice exists, it should be stopped as soon as possible."

Hotel Dieu employees awarded parity with CUPE counterparts

An arbitrator has ruled that OPSEU employees at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Cornwall are to be paid the same rate of pay as their counterparts at Cornwall General Hospital.

The arbitrator based his decision on the fact that the two hospitals will soon be merged, and employees at Hotel Dieu earn less than those at Cornwall General.

Overall, the percentage increases awarded range from a high of 7.6 per cent for RPNs to a low of 3 per cent for OT and Physio Aides. The RPN rates go up to $16.55. The arbitrator awarded a higher rate due to the greater responsibilities of the RPNs at the General.

A CUPE "me-too" was also awarded, which means that any increases awarded to CUPE during the life of the agreement, flow automatically to OPSEU members.

"This is an excellent award," concluded members of the OPSEU negotiating team, "and should put us in a strong position when representation votes take place early next year."

9-week strike ends for Earlscourt workers

Workers at Earlscourt Child and Family Centre spoke with one voice this week when they voted unanimously to accept an offer from their employer. The contract gives them a 2 per cent wage increase on Jan. 1, 1999 and another 1 per cent on Jan. 1, 2000.

The workers say the agreement puts a wrench in the employer’s plans to adopt a low-wage strategy with a view towards turning Earlscourt into a training centre. "They were trying to position themselves for privatization," says Child and Family Worker Sarah Smart. "Our gains put a halt to those plans for at least two years."

The two-year contract stipulates that there will be no reduction to employer-pension contributions.

"We feel good about the way things turned out," said negotiating committee member Damian Maldaver. "This contract preserves quality care and attracts quality staff to the agency. And, we’re never been more together as a union!"

Best wishes for safe, healthy and happy holidays. See you in '99!

OPSEU ActionFax is an electronic publication of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Contact us at opseu@opseu.org or visit the OPSEU web site at http://www.opseu.org.