BROCKVILLE - About 400 workers at the Brockville Psychiatric Site of the Royal Ottawa Hospital will be getting their first raise in three years as a result of an arbitration ruling Monday.
The office, service and clerical workers will receive increases of about 5.5 per cent over three years. Psychiatric nursing assistants will receive 11 per cent over the same period.
Paramedical workers will finally move up to the industry standard for the contract period. All increases are retroactive.
The contract, which took four years to achieve, covers the period from February 23, 2001 to March 31, 2003. Upon receiving the arbitrator's decision, the union immediately filed notice to bargain the next contract.
"We tried to work out an agreement without going to arbitration," said Local 439 President Dave MacDougall. "But the employer wouldn't bargain at the table. This has been a very difficult employer to deal with."
The new contract includes a number of gains, including improved sick time, contracting out language that improves job security and improved vacation.
Former Ontario Public Service staff may also gain the opportunity to return to the OPSEU Pension Trust as a result of the arbitrator's ruling.
A wide range of workers make up the two bargaining units of OPSEU Local 439 including office administrators, housekeeping staff, maintenance workers, dietary staff, psychiatric nursing assistants, laboratory assistants, social workers, rehabilitation counsellors, pharmacy technicians, community mental health staff and many other
professions.
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For more information, contact:
Dave MacDougall 613-498-3103
Rose Phillips 613-345-14161 ext 2134
Dan Newcombe 613-345-1461 ext 3124
