Over 1600 members of OPSEU Local 500 employed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) overwhelmingly ratified a new 3 year contract on Friday October 14th, 2011.
“This is a greatly improved contract,” said 2nd Regional Vice President and President of OPSEU Local 500, Nancy Pridham. “I want to thank the bargaining team for their hard work. And I also want to thank all of our members: The team could not have achieved this outcome without their support.”
In an agreement that makes sizable gains for both full-time and part-time workers, all members of Local 500 will receive a one percent lump sum in each of the first two years. For full-time staff, this will be one percent of their salary. For all other staff, this calculation will be based on all moneys earned in the preceding year. There will be a wage increase of 2.75% in the third year.
Classification issues were resolved for a number of positions. Existing inequities in vacation time were also dealt with: All part-time staff vacation earnings will now mirror vacation for full-timers.
Temporary and contract work has long been an issue at CAMH, with some workers already entering their 15th year of precarious work. This new contract provides for conversion to full-time status of all staff who have worked four years or more.
Bargaining team members included Nancy Pridham, Melissa Leaist, Joan Foote, Lynne Fiander, Thomas Anderson, Robert Edgar and Staff Representative Brock Suddaby.