Metro Southgate members unanimously ratify wage and language improvements

The members at Metro Southgate in Ottawa unanimously ratified a four-year agreement on October 13, 2023. Wage improvements are as follows: Full-time at or above end rate:  Year 1 – $0.75 (retro back to September 1, 2023), Year 2 – $0.75, Year 3 – $0.55 and Year 4 – $0.55. Part-time at or above end rate: Year 1 – $0.75 (retro back to September 1, 2023), Year 2 – $0.75, Year 3 – $0.55 and Year 4 – $0.55.

There will now be one wage scale for all full-time employees and one wage scale for all part-time employees with the deletion of the pre and post wage scales. The part-time wage scale end rate will also be reduced to 5201+ hours (from 6501+).

Lump sum payments will also be made as follows:

• Full-time hired prior to December 8, 2013 – $500.00 lump sum payment September 1^st in each year of the contract.
• Full-time hired after December 8, 2013 – $250.00 lump sum payment September 1^st in each year of the contract.
• Full-time hired prior to September 30, 1997 – $450.00 lump sum payment September 1^st in each year of the contract.
• Part-time hired prior to September 30, 1990 – $300.00 lump sum payment September 1^st in each year of the contract.
• Part-time with 3900 or more hours worked will receive $300.00 lump sum payment September 1^st in each year of the contract.
• Part-time with less than 3900 hours worked will receive $125.00 lump sum payment September 1^st in each year of the contract.
• Increase to Night Crew premium from $0.95 to $1.10 per hour.
• New U-Scan premium of $0.75 per hour.

Language improvements include:

• Vision benefit increased to $300.00 (up from $250.00).
• Increase to the Short-term disability payment for full-time from the current $500.00 to $595 per week.
• NEW – Part-time employees who average 22 hours per week shall receive effective January 1, 2024 – 16 hours of paid sick leave and January 1, 2025 – 24 hours of paid sick leave.
• Safety boot allowance increased to $150.00 annually for full-time and $150.00 every two years for part-time.
• Increase to allotment for uniform allowance.
• A Letter of Understanding will be added re: The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which provides for an annual paid floater day for both full and part-time.
• Reimbursement language will be added for errors in employees’ pay cheque.
• New – Wedding Leave – one day off with pay.
• New – ratification meeting leave, reviewing new CBA leave (all one day off with pay for the Negotiating Committee).
• New – Cross Training language to be posted and awarded by seniority

Union negotiating committee: Matt Ingram, Cathy Rideout, Brigitte Serrano and Mathew VanSeters. Union representatives: Sandra Proulx and Joe Tenn.

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

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