Housing department employees without contract since Dec. 31, 2016
The 22 members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Local 328 — who work as superintendents and housing clerks in the Social Housing Department of Simcoe County in Barrie , Ont., — requested a "no-board" report from the Ministry of Labour on Feb. 13.
The workers, who have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2016, have made compensation their central demand. But weeks of talks have resulted in a stalemate, said the union.
"The employer continues to offer wage increases that don't even meet the cost of living," said Mary Ellen Kelloway, bargaining team chair. "In effect, they're demanding we take a wage cut. At the same time, the manager of the social housing department has received 11.73 per cent in wage hikes over the last three years — more than five per cent last year alone."
"An internal equity survey has clearly shown that we earn an average 18 per cent less than other Simcoe County workers doing similar work in similar circumstances. In other words, we're being paid a fifth less for no good reason. That's not only unjust – it will soon be illegal," said Mary Ellen Kelloway
Bill 148, which strengthened the Employment Standards Act, was passed last December. One of the bill's provisions, which ordered workers to be paid the same as other employees doing equal work, takes effect April 1.
