The OPSEU/SEFPO Local 676 bargaining team is excited to announce the ratification of our Collective Agreement with our employer, Community Living Greater Sudbury.
We are extremely proud to announce that we have achieved a monumental victory: securing a Defined Benefit pension plan for all part-time and full-time workers!
It has been the goal of the local to secure a pension plan for the last 17 years, so this accomplishment marks a significant milestone for our local.
With a two per cent contribution and a matching two per cent from the employer, we have laid the groundwork for future improvements and guaranteed lifelong retirement income.
We also achieved modest wage gains, which will set the groundwork for future rounds of bargaining. We will also continue to demand fairness for maintenance workers who face similar health and safety risks as Direct Support workers.
The journey to this ratified agreement marks significant achievements in our continuing efforts to empower and engage with our members. We proudly welcomed two member advisors for communications, fluent in Punjabi, Malayalam, and Hindi, ensuring our diverse group of workers felt heard and represented.
This initiative has proved to be a pivotal step. The increased participation in our meetings, with new faces among our approximately 250 members, represents a monumental win for us.
Together, we will continue to build our local capacity and participation, organizing to win and paving the way for even greater achievements.
Solidarity!
Bargaining Highlights
Payment upon signing
Retroactive payments for all hours worked between April 1st, 2023, and the ratification date will be paid 4 weeks following ratification, before Christmas.
- 2023 – 2%
- 2024 – 2%
- 2025 – 2%
- 2026 Common expiry aligning bargaining with many other DS agencies across Ontario.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
For all full-time and part-time members (to be in place within 5 months of ratification).
Full-time Employees:
- Full-time employees will become eligible after three (3) months of full-time employment.
- The employer will match the employee contribution to a maximum of 2%. Employees must contribute a minimum of 1%. Contributions will be based on base pay (not including overtime). Employees may adjust contribution amount once per year.
- Participation for eligible full-time employees is mandatory.
Part-time Employees:
- Part-time employees will become eligible after one (1) year of employment.
- The employer will match the employee contribution to a maximum of 2%. Employees must contribute a minimum of 1%. Contributions will be based on base pay (not including overtime). Employees may adjust contribution amount once per year.
- Participation for eligible part-time employees is voluntary.
Meals & Mileage
Language added back into the Collective Agreement
- Meal Allowance increase from $25 to $30
- Mileage increase from 50 cents to 55 cents
NEW: Part-time and casual employees with more than fifteen years of employment (by hire date) who earn accrued vacation pay are entitled to eight per cent of the wages earned in that pay period as accrued vacation pay.