Members at Caressant Care Retirement in Fergus secure new agreement
June 22, 2020
On June 19, health care members at the Caressant Care Retirement Home in Fergus achieved a new two-year collective agreement.
The Union Negotiating Committee was diligent about achieving the best agreement possible for the membership. They were able to secure Maternity Leave top up to 75% as well as a number of other improvements.
All members at the Fergus Caressant Care Retirement home will receive raises of 2% paid retroactively for hours worked since February 1, 2020. They will see another 2% raise as of January 31, 2021. In addition to the percentage increase, Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) will receive an increase of 15 cents per hour effective immediately, and 10 cents per hour effective January 31, 2021.
The Committee achieved a new weekend shift premium which pays 15 cents per hour on top of an employee’s regular rate. That premium becomes effective as of ratification and it will increase to 20 cents per hour on January 31, 2022.
Language now allows for increased flexibility for bereavement leave; if bereavement occurs while an employee is on vacation, those vacation days may be reversed to be used at a later date. In addition, eligible employees can now use their vacation in single day increments.
Other monetary improvements include an increase to the uniform allowance of $2 per month for part-time and 50 cents per month for full-time. Vision care coverage for members improves to provide $325 every 24 months.
Additionally, the employer will make a one-time contribution of $100 to the UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Training & Education Fund.
Union Negotiating Committee: Ellen Kurtz, Denise Preston, and Union Rep Lee Johnson-Koehn.
Read more Negotiation Updates from the Local 175 HOPE Sector!
What’s HOPE? It stands for Health, Office & Professional Employees.
In all types of health care facilities, it is the front-line workers who shoulder the most responsibility in providing care to patients. Find out why Health Care workers benefit from belonging to our Union!