Canadian Blood Services Support update and settlement details

We are very pleased to post this update with the details of the settlement we reached last night with your employer on the CBS Support contract.

This is a favourable deal for our members.

Our members have been working hard and waiting for a new contract through a period of high inflation and a cost of living crisis. This deal offers much needed retroactive adjustments on wages and shift premiums.

Key highlights (see below for full highlights)

  • April 1, 2021 – 4.75% across the board wage increase (retro)
  • April 1, 2022 – 3.50% across the board wage increase (retro)

Your unwavering support along with solidarity actions from members across the province played a major role in pushing the employer to offer a fair contract. This settlement ensures wage increases in line with all other health care providers — a testament to our collective strength and unity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who organized and participated in the Solidarity BBQs for your time and your support!

Upcoming Zoom Info Meeting: We understand that you may have questions and would like more details about the new tentative agreement. To address this, we have scheduled a Zoom Info Meeting on Sunday, September 10, from 1 pm — 3 pm. This will be an opportunity for you to go through the agreement with us and ask any questions.

Details on how to log in and participate in the Zoom meeting, along with instructions about casting ballots in the Ratification Vote, will be provided the week of September 4th — following Labour Day. A copy of the full Memorandum of Settlement will also be shared at that time for review.

Finally, we want to express once again our thanks for your continued support and solidarity throughout this process.

In solidarity,

  • Geoff Cain (Local 160): Bargaining Team Chair
  • Jennifer Johnson (Local 5103): Bargaining Team Vice-Chair
  • Alberto Alvaro (Local 200)
  • Alexis Victoria (Local 210)
  • Brent MacPherson (Local 477)

Highlights from the CBS Support Collective Agreement (Locals 160, 200, 210, 477, 5103):

SCHEDULE “A” WAGES:

  • April 1. 2021 – 4.75% across the board wage increase (retro)
  • April 1. 2022 – 3.50% across the board wage increase (retro)

TERM:

April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2023

With the contract expiring on March 31, 2023 this gets us right back into bargaining with the Employer, and an opportunity to obtain further gains.

Donor Service Rep Job Evaluation:

The DSR position will be evaluated by a committee to determine if they are being paid at the appropriate rate. This committee will have an equal number of committee members from the Union and the Employer.

NEW – Provincial Labour Management Table Enshrined into Collective Agreement

The Provincial Labour Management Committee is enshrined into the Collective Agreement enabling all Local Presidents to attend three (3) two (2) day meetings annually to discuss provincial issues, review current classifications that have had significant changes to their job descriptions and job functions and also review job descriptions.

REST PERIODS

Rest periods shall be provided at appropriate times for all employees throughout the clinic (previously this language only referenced mobile employees).

WEEKEND PREMIUMS

Increase in Weekend Premiums from $2.00/hr to $2.73/hr with retro going back to April 1, 2021.

EVENING PREMIUMS (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.)

Increase from $1.20/hr to $1.29/hr for all hours worked April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 with retro.

Effective April 1, 2022 – Increase from $1.29/hr to $1.64/hr for all hours worked with retro.

PAID HOLIDAYS

Add National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Increase Part-Time in-lieu of designated holidays from 5% to 5.38%.

TWO Paid Days Off For Part-Time Added to Collective Agreement:

Regular part-time, temporary, and casual employees shall be entitled to two (2) paid days leave of absence per calendar year to attend to unforeseen circumstances that require an employee’s immediate attention.

BEREAVEMENT / COMPASSIONATE LEAVE

Flexibility on bereavement leave to be taken within six (6) months (previously was thirty (30) days).

Medical Certificate for Drivers’ Licenses

Up to $150 will be reimbursed to Drivers every twenty-four (24) months for the purpose of obtaining a medical certificate for the renewal of a required driver’s license (previously was $100).

Letters of Understanding:

Re: Joint Labour Relations Training – Updated with a commitment for Joint Workplace Training focusing on Respect and Harassment Training.

Re: Post and Fill – has been deleted, since it was expired. The Employer would not renew the letter, however the Union bargaining team has been provided case law, which will be shared during our Ratification Info meeting. The case itself puts an onus on the Employer to fill a permanent full-time position when an employee leaves the organization unless it is not operationally feasible. The Employer must prove why it is not operationally feasible to not fill the position.

NEW Letter of Agreement: Grievance Process Discussion

A meeting will take place within ninety (90) days of ratification of the Collective Agreement to review the current grievance process and the length of time resolution of a grievance takes. The meeting will be attended by three (3) Employer Reps and three (3) Union Reps.