Compass Group Members at St. Michael’s Hospital Ratify

Compass Group members at St. Michael’s Hospital ratify.

Thirty-one members working for Compass Group at St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto have ratified a new three-year collective agreement. The new agreement also recognizes members working in an additional restaurant facility in the hospital which resulted in the addition of five new members to the scope of these provisions.

In this round of bargaining, the Union Negotiating Committee achieved important Minimum Wage Plus (MW+) language. These provisions ensure that members’ rates of pay will never fall behind the minimum wage set by the province. This addition will bring a significant raise for our Compass Group members at the St. Michael’s location

All employees will see raises of $0.75 per hour in year one, $0.55 per hour in year two, and $0.55 cents per hour in year three. Premiums improve to provide $1 per hour, up from $0.75, for Lead Hands, and a new Night Shift premium will provide $0.50 per hour over the employee’s regular rate.

Members benefit from a reduction in the number of years of service needed to enroll in the pension plan, now requiring only two years instead of five. In addition, employer-matched contributions to the plan increase to $0.35 cents per hour instead of the previous $0.15.

This new collective agreement also contains a number of improvements to the members’ health and welfare plan, for which the employer will now cover 80% of premiums, up from 75%. Part-time employees now receive two paid sick days per year, up from one, and full-time will receive three paid sick days instead of two. Eyeglass coverage is now $325, up from $250, every 24 months. Safety shoes will now be covered up to $90 per year, up from $50.

The Union Negotiating Committee successfully had the benefit breakdown added to the language of the collective agreement and the employer agreed to maintain all negotiated benefits for the duration of the agreement. Other language added to the agreement includes termination and severance pay provisions.

The employer further agreed to make a one-time contribution of $250 to the UFCW Local 175 Training & Education Fund, and the employer will also provide an emergency supply of menstrual products free of charge to employees.

Union Negotiating Committee: Helen Pace, Tiruwork (Terry) Tessma, and Union Representative Amanda DeMelo.

Catch up on all the negotiation highlights from across the province here.

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