OTTAWA: An arbitration award issued today will give hospital health professionals at The Ottawa Hospital wage rates that are more competitive with those of diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic health professionals across Ontario.
Under the Burkett Award, members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 464 will receive retroactive wage increases of between seven and 17 per cent over the three years of a deal expiring March 31, 2005.
The more than 2,000 professionals in more than 100 occupational groups at The Ottawa Hospital (including new OPSEU members from the former Ottawa Regional Cancer Care Centre) are pleased that these more competitive rates will help recruit and retain staff, and thus ease shortages.
“This is a major step forward for our members. It will mean we are covered under a current collective agreement and are the highest paid hospital professionals in our region.” said Tami MacDonald, chair of the union bargaining team. “It reflects a lot of hard work by our team, in listening to the members in each profession, and reflecting
their needs at the table.
“This is also a big step towards allowing the hospital to attract the professionals they need to be nationally recognized as the academic health sciences centre of choice.”
OPSEU members also made gains in such areas as shift premiums, benefit coverage, and vacation entitlement.
OPSEU represents over 15,000 professionals who provide diagnostic, rehabilitative and therapeutic services in hospitals across Ontario. They include x-ray and lab technologists, technicians, biomedical engineers, health records professionals, social workers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and many other professions.
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For further information:
Tami MacDonald, or Sara Manoll, OPSEU Ottawa Office 613-739-9100
