OATC ratifies significant wage increases and numerous improvements to language with new collective agreement.

The members working at the OATC (Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres) across the province ratified a new three-year agreement.

In this round of negotiations, we were successful in reducing the wage grid from five years to two years.  

Wage increases include:

• Patient Care Co-ordinator: Year 1 – average increase 11%, Year 2 – 3%, and Year 3 – 2%.
• Nurses: Year 1 – average increase 6%, Year 2 – 3%, Year 3 – 2%.
• Special increase to the northern rate:  Year 1 – 3%, Year 2 – 2.5%, Year 3 – 2%.  

The weekend premium will increase from 50 cents to 1 dollar per hour. The float staff premium will be incorporated into their base salary, which increases the float nurse base by $1.00 per hour and float patient care coordinator by 75 cents per hour.

Language improvements include:

• Mileage allowance increases to 58 cents from 53 cents.
• Casual staff now included in bereavement entitlement.
• Professional development allowance increases for full-time from $350.00 dollars per year to $500.00 per year, and members can also use these funds to pay for nursing license fees.
• ESA calculation for stat days will now be amended so that paid time off work counts towards stat pay.
• Medical notes will be covered by the employer up to $50.00.
• The employer will contribute $1000 to the Training and Education Fund annually.
• There will be a new letter of understanding which will provide long service recognition. Employees will receive $500.00 lump sum payments for every five years of service to a maximum of $3,000.00 for thirty years.
• Enhanced paid negotiation committee language to include conciliation and mediation days.
• The employer to pay 50% of the cost of printing CBAs.
• Sick days are reclassified to wellness days to be used at the workers discretion. Wellness days can now be taken in hours versus days of entitlements.
• Improved language for representatives to service units.
• The sunset clause is reduced from 18 months for minor and 24 months for major incidents down to 12 months for all.
• Improved vacation scheduling language.
• Any new units that become unionized will now receive recognition for all years of service with the employer prior to certification.
• Reduced probation period from six months to three months.
• Members no longer have to fill their own absences for sick leave and call in procedures.

Union negotiating committee: Holly Bell, Joanne Byrne, Jen Graham, and Jen Pomber. HOPE Community Director Mike Mattioli, Union representatives Ricardo Bocanegra, and Alex Stubbs.

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

In health care facilities, it is the front-line workers who shoulder the responsibility in caring for patients. Find out why Health Care workers benefit from belonging to our Union!

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