WOODSTOCK,
ONTARIO – Just days before a Feb. 14 strike deadline, employees of the
Canadian Mental Health Association in Oxford County have voted 83 per cent
in favour of their employer’s latest contract offer.
“We are very pleased to announce that our
members have ratified their new collective agreement,” said bargaining team
chair Tischa Battram of OPSEU Local 152. “It has been a very long journey
to last night’s vote. We are pleased that the strike has been avoided and
our much-needed services for our clients will continue without disruption on
Valentine’s Day and afterwards.”
Highlights of the deal include:
-
a pay raise of 3% per year for a
three-year deal starting April 1, 2008;
-
a signing bonus covering retroactive
wages to July 25, 2007;
-
an increase in mileage reimbursement;
and
-
a shift premium of 62 cents an hour
for hours worked beyond 6:00 p.m. or on weekends.
Battram and Local 152 wish to thank their
clients, the CMHA board of directors, and everyone in the community who
supported the workers’ journey to a fair first contract.
“Unionized employees of CMHA-Oxford look
forward to being able to focus on the work that we do for those in need of
CMHA support services,” she said, “and moving forward with our employer and
our union.”
Print this page