PSAC, Canada Post reach deal; Wage gains for Waste Management workers
OSSTF reaches tentative agreements
TORONTO — The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) reached tentative agreements on April 20 with the government and the province’s school boards associations.
“While this tentative agreement does not satisfy all of our concerns, we recognize the current environment we are in and the need for students to have stability once this emergency is over,” says Harvey Bischof, OSSTF/FEESO president. “Even now, educators continue to do their best for students during this crisis and look forward to welcoming them back to the face-to-face support we know is best for most students.”
OSSTF’s local leaders from across the province will meet via teleconference to review the tentative agreements and determine whether or not to forward them to the membership for a ratification vote. Member ratification votes are tentatively planned for May, says the union.
Contract agreed to by Windsor city workers
WINDSOR, Ont. — Workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 543 reached an agreement with the City of Windsor, Ont. on April 6 that will secure services for residents through redeployment of employees into needed areas, and protect more people from layoffs than would have been the case without an agreement, says the union.
“This agreement keeps more of our members working,” says Jason Parent, Local 543 president. “We are living through an unprecedented crisis. And while we have a responsibility to protect our members’ health and safety — and will take all steps within our power to do that — we also want to step up and provide the services Windsor needs in this crisis.”
PSAC, Canada Post reach deal
OTTAWA — Less than three months after commencing bargaining for the renewal of the collective agreement — which was set to expire on Aug. 31 — the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Canada Post reached a tentative agreement on April 14.
Earlier this year, PSAC announced that it would head into early negotiations with Canada Post to reach a new collective agreement before the current one expires in August. Parties begin bargaining on Jan. 27, says the union.
The parties began negotiations on a set of issues that were agreed to as part of a letter of understanding signed on Dec. 12 that outlined the parameters of this expedited process, says PSAC.
The agreement will be put to a ratification vote by PSAC members across the country. Once ratified, the agreement will have an expiry date of August 31, 2024, says the union.
Wage gains for Waste Management workers
Sarnia, Ont. — Employees of Waste Management of Canada (Lambton County Landfill Division) in Sarnia, Ont. ratified a three-year collective agreement on April 20 that will provide significant wage gains over the term.
“Bargaining for the new contract was a long process,” says Ryan Griffioen, CLAC representative. “But in the end, the members are happy with the result. This agreement provides them with excellent monetary increases in the face of uncertainty.”
The new contract includes total monetary package increases ranging between 15.5 and 16.5 per cent over the term, depending on classification. Employees will receive an immediate three- per-cent wage increase retroactive to June 1, 2019, 3.5 per cent in 2020 and 3.5 per cent in 2021. The new contract also includes a $1,000 signing bonus and increases to boot and tool allowances and lead-hand premiums, says the union.
