Veterinary Emergency Clinic ratifies increases to wages and premiums with improved language in new collective agreement.

Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Toronto has achieved a new three-year agreement following a ratification meeting on May 2, 2025.

Members will receive wage increases of 1.5% in each year of the agreement with year one retroactive to April 4th, 2025. In the first year there will be additional hourly increases based on years of service as follows: Full-time Animal Technicians with three to nine years of service – $1.00, 10 years to 19 years -$1.50, more than 20 years of service – $2.00. Part-time with five to nine years of service – $1.00, 10 years or more $2.00 and Assistance Care Level 2 – $.50. These amounts will be added to all base rates in year one.

There will be language improvements which include:

• Twelve unused PEL (Personal Emergency Leave) hours can be carried over to end of following year.
• Scrub allowance for full-time increases from $100 to $200, and part-time from $50 to $100.
• Pet Bereavement improved to cover multiple registered pets.
• Continuing education reimbursement for Registered Vet Tech increased from $300 to $750.
• OAVT dues reimbursed for those with six months to one year of service at 50% and for members with one year and up paid at 100%.
• Extension to the deadline for when vacation request must be submitted from October 15th to November 15^th.
• The Emergency Tech weekend on call is paid a flat rate $150 per day, increased from three hours pay.
• All shift premiums increased by $1.00 and Lead Premium for Registered Veterinarian Technician from $1.00 to $3.00 and Animal Care Attendant from $1.00 to $1.50.
• Increases in the recruitment program Registered Veterinarian Technician from $200 to $300, and for Animal Care Attendant $50 to $75.
• Letter of Understanding re: Staff Pet Care Policy renewed.
• Employee Training Premium of $1.00/hour for all hours assigned to train another Registered Veterinarian Technician or Animal Care Attendant.

Union negotiating committee: Kaitlin Dickson, Yvonne Fordham, and Nicole James. Union representative: Meemee Seto.

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

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