A tentative three-year settlement was overwhelmingly ratified by the members of OPSEU Local 702, Firefly, on March 8, 2012.
This first collective agreement was the result of the merger of two northern agencies within OPSEU’s Child Treatment Sector: Lake of the Woods Child Development Centre in Kenora and Patricia Centre for Children and Youth in Dryden. The merged organization became Firefly effective April 1, 2011.
Members of Lake of the Woods Child Development Centre were represented by OPSEU and the members of Patricia Centre for Children and Youth were represented by the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE). Discussions took place between the two unions and an agreement was reached where the former COPE members voluntarily joined OPSEU.
The goal of the bargaining team was two-fold: To ensure that former members of COPE were fully involved in the bargaining process and the democratic decisions made there, and to ensure that every member realized a gain in the new collective agreement. Both of these goals were accomplished to the complete satisfaction of the members involved.
The new contract includes wage increases, increases to matched RRSP contributions, enhancements to the accrual of vacation credits, increases to meal allowances and kilometric rates and an increase to member participation in labour relations and negotiations. Wage parity for all classifications of the two former bargaining units was also achieved.
OPSEU congratulates the Firefly Bargaining Team on a job well done!