The 85 members of Local 473 have voted to accept an agreement with the Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living. The agreement was reached after 13 days of bargaining and was settled at conciliation.
Members will see an annual 50 cents per hour general wage increase and a signing bonus of $400 for members with more than 5 years seniority, and $200 for those with less. Part-time workers now have a new $250 yearly drug allowance, increased sick leave and bereavement leave increased to 2 days and the new language now includes in-laws, children, and grandparents.