Karis Disability Services ratifies

Karis Disability Services ratifies wage increases and benefit improvements with new collective agreement.

HOPE Sector workers at Karis Disability Service, Central and York working in the GTA and York Region ratified their first renewal agreement with a three-year term on September 13, 2024 after a difficult round of negotiations.

Wages for the members will increase in Year 1 – 3% retroactive to date of expiry, Year 2 – 2.5%, and Year 3- 2%. In addition, lump sum payments will be paid following ratification to full-time – $1200, part-time – $600 and casual – $250.

Benefit improvements include:

• Part-time healthcare spending account will increase from $750 to $1000.
• Full-time will have an increase to optical benefits from $300 to $400 and $90 for eye exam every 24 months and Mental Health allowance coverage will increase from $400 to $800.

Language improvements include:

• There will be a letter of understanding to address premium pay of 1.5x their rate when workers have to stay beyond their shift.
• Civic Holiday will now be a paid holiday for part-time and casual workers.
• There will be the introduction of a team to assist members with workers compensation claims.

Union negotiating committee: Melbourne (Rocky) Allen, Opal Bowley, Greg Morris, Okpan Ogbu, Bright Okoronkwo, Anne-Marie Wood and. Union representatives: Kasiobi Nwankudu (SPUR) Meemee Seto, and Hodan Wais.

Read more Negotiation Updates from the Local 175 HOPE Sector! What’s HOPE? It stands for Health, Office & Professional Employees.

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