Toronto – The roughly 60 OPSEU members who provide support services to adults with disabilities at Pace Independent Living have voted in favour of a three-year contract that features significant gains, including a wage increase and a bump in the employers’ retirement contribution.
“This is an excellent contract,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “It’s filled with all kinds of achievements that these hard-working members deserve.
“I’m especially excited that the members didn’t have to make a single concession for all these gains. It was great bargaining. It’s another example of how OPSEU wins when we rally together.”
The new three-year collective agreement for the Pace Independent Living workers, who belong to OPSEU Local 593, includes:
- Wage increases in the second and third year
- A lump-sum payment of $500 for full-time workers and $300 for part-time workers
- An employer RRSP/Pension contribution increase from two per cent to three per cent in the third year
- Bereavement leave extended to three days from one day for part-time employees
- An additional paid day for part-time workers
- An additional week of vacation for full-time employees after 15 years, down from 20 years
- Improvements in health and safety, anti-discrimination, breaks
- Employer to pay 100 per cent of cost of benefits for eyeglasses – up from 50 per cent
- Absolutely no concessions
“We’re incredibly proud of the work we do providing resources and support to adults with disabilities,” said Estrella Rafael Ingram, OPSEU Local 593 President and chair of its bargaining committee. “We know our work has value and we set out to bargain a contract that recognizes that value with fair wage increases.
“This contract is good for us and it’s good for the people who depend on us.”