Workers at Denise House, a women’s shelter in Oshawa, have secured a new collective agreement that sets an important standard for other OPSEU/SEFPO members working in shelters.
Like shelter workers across the province, OPSEU/SEFPO members at Denise House support people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. They do this work in a sector that has faced years of underfunding, with wages that have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
“This new agreement sets an important standard for others in our sector,” said Patricia Zonta, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Community Agencies Divisional Executive. “It shows the power of workers bargaining together and raising the floor for one another. When workers win better wages and working conditions, it strengthens the vital services our communities rely on.”
The agreement secures significant wage increases and strong language for a Bill 124 wage reopener. Workers at Denise House are among thousands of workers in community, health and social services whose wages were stolen under the Ford Government’s unconstitutional Bill 124 legislation.
Members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 361 – Denise House are part of Worth Fighting For, a coordinated bargaining campaign bringing together OPSEU/SEFPO members across community, health and social services. Nearly 4,000 workers took strike action in May, while other locals have continued to coordinate their bargaining to raise standards, secure wages suppressed under Bill 124 and fight for the funding to protect services.
“We are pleased to secure such a strong agreement for our members,” said Carissa Hockney, Bargaining Team Chair for Local 361 – Denise House. “The work we do is critical – and our members deserve to make a living wage while doing the work they love. Fair wages mean we can keep skilled, experienced workers here to provide support when women in our community need it.”
Across these sectors, workers have been expected to do more with less for years. Underfunding has contributed to low wages, staffing shortages, recruitment and retention issues and burnout – all while waitlists and needs continue to grow. Through coordinated bargaining, workers are fighting for better at the bargaining table while continuing to demand that the Ford government deliver necessary funding to their agencies.
“This agreement shows what workers can achieve through the power of coordinated bargaining” said JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President. “Every strong agreement helps set a higher standard for the next group of workers at the bargaining table. Using our collective power to win better for workers and for the people who rely on these services – that’s what Worth Fighting For is about. Workers will not stop fighting for what they and the people they support deserve.”