Ryandale Shelter workers ratify first contract

Members of Local 175 working at the Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless in Kingston met on September 16, 2014 to review the negotiated terms of their first collective agreement.

The ratified three-year contract includes a number of improvements including a grievance and arbitration procedure, seniority provisions, and job protection through language preventing the contracting out of work by the employer.

Wages will increase by a total of 3% over the course of the agreement. The workers’ benefit plan is 100% paid by the employer and part-time employees are now entitled to 12 hours personal paid leave per year.

Employees have bereavement leave entitlement written into the agreement. In addition, vacation entitlement improves to provide three weeks’ paid vacation for full-time workers with five years of service, and part-time workers now receive two weeks paid vacation instead of ‘pay in lieu.’

Union Negotiating Committee: Lou McBride and Union Rep Simon Baker.