Dear members,Your bargaining team has received arbitrator William Kaplan’s reopener decision today and we’re writing you to provide the details of the Award.This Award applies to all HPD members covered by the central agreement.Please find a link to the
full Arbitration document here (pdf).In this email, we have also included a brief summary of the Award, a recap of the wage re-opener timeline, and information about upcoming Information Sessions, hosted by your bargaining team. These sessions are open to all members.
The Award
The award is certainly a step in the right direction as it includes substantial increases to wages, premiums and benefits. However, the wage increases awarded do not go far enough in addressing the inflationary pressures and cost of living challenges we are all facing.On a positive note, we are encouraged by arbitrator Kaplan’s decision to award additional money in lieu of the pandemic pay that our members were unjustly excluded from by the Ford government. This is a major victory for our members.
Award Summary
Wage IncreasesApril 1, 2022 – Additional 3.75% (Total 4.75%)April 1, 2023 – Additional 2.50% (Total 3.50%)April 1, 2024 – Additional 2.00% (Total 3.00%)
Wage Grid Adjustment
September 1, 2023 – 1.75% (applied to max rate)- Registered Technologists and all classifications above Registered Technologist
Pandemic Pay
Lump sum payment to all employees that were in the bargaining unit on August 13, 2020 and did not already receive pandemic pay in the following manner:
- Full-time employees – $1750
- Part-time employees – $1250
- Casual employees – $750
Call-Back
- Effective August 3, 2023, increase from 1.5 times to 2 times regular rate.
Premiums
- Effective August 3, 2023, evening premium increase by 19 cents from 2.06 to 2.25.
- Effective August 3, 2023, night premium increase by 39 cents from 2.49 to 2.88.
- Effective August 3, 2023, weekend premium increase by 39 cents from 2.65 to 3.04.
Health Benefits
- Effective April 1, 2024, increase vision from $350 to $450.
- Effective April 1, 2024, add a health care spending account of $500 annually.
Backgound
To provide some background to today’s Award, our bargaining team and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), which represents the employers, met with Arbitrator William Kaplan in February 2023 for mediation on compensation improvements. This mediation was initiated in light of the decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on November 29, 2022 overturning and declaring the Ford government’s wage freezing Bill 124 as “void and of no effect.”Unfortunately, the mediation in February was not successful, as the OHA was only willing to consider modest increases to wages and no other compensation issues such as premiums, vacation and benefits.This position was unacceptable to your bargaining team, so following this impasse both parties agreed to schedule an interest arbitration with Arbitrator Kaplan. This hearing occurred on May 29, 2023.Today’s Award is the decision from Arbitrator Kaplan following our May hearing.
Information SessionsWe will be holding information sessions on Wednesday August 9 at noon. These information sessions will be held via Zoom. Check your email for the Zoom invite link and details (sent on August 3).We have appreciated your support throughout these negotiations and look forward to seeing you at the Information Sessions.In solidarity,Your HPD bargaining team:Sandi Blancher, Bargaining Chair; L106 – London Health Sciences CentreBetty Palmieri, Bargaining Vice-Chair; L206 – St. Joseph’s Health Care HamiltonBrenda Allan; L215 – Niagara Health SystemBeverly Weaver; L4106 – Kingston Health Sciences CentreKelly Richmond; L480 – Quinte Healthcare CorporationAdrian Balojin; L206 – St. Joseph’s Health Care HamiltonSteve McCaw; L106 – London Health Sciences Centre
