Rideauwood addictions workers in Ottawa reach agreement on first contract

New deal includes $1,000 signing bonus

Rideauwood addictions workers in Ottawa reach agreement on first contract
The workers — who voted to join OPSEU in 2016 — provide addictions counselling and services to nearly 2,500 children, teens, adults, and families across the Ottawa region. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

After a lengthy round of bargaining, about 40 workers with Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services reached their first tentative agreement on March 5.

"A lot of determination, courage, and hard work went into this tentative agreement," said Wendy Brown, an addictions counsellor and the chair of (Ontario Public Service Employees Union) OPSEU Local 454's Rideauwood bargaining committee."But we all stuck together and I'm very proud to present this tentative deal to all my co-workers and recommend that they vote to ratify it."

The two-year agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018, and expires March 31, 2020. In addition to wage increases, workers will receive a signing bonus of up to $1,000, and a collective agreement that gives them increased transparency, job security and a formal grievance process, said the union.

The workers — who voted to join OPSEU in 2016 — provide addictions counselling and services to nearly 2,500 children, teens, adults, and families across the Ottawa region. They will vote on the tentative agreement on March 9.

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