Sector 13: Municipally Speaking – Information Bulletin Fall 2025

Grievance Filing

On September 16 and 17, the Sector 13 Municipalities Divisional Executives (Divex) were in Niagara Falls to connect with members and assist with building their local. This initiative will be ongoing so keep an eye out for us in your area!Together, we discussed “Why to file a Grievance” and how to address the fear that can come with pursuing a grievance in the workplace.A grievance is a way to formally challenge a contract violation or unfair treatment by your employer. This is a formal process to protect workplace rights and ensure your members receive fair treatment according to our collective agreement– for example, disciplinary action and working conditions. Filing a grievance is a proactive step to seek resolution for issues that may not have been resolved through conversations with your employer.We will be discussing Grievances and providing more information shortly. Please follow our Facebook page for upcoming information.You can find information on our Facebook page OPSEU/SEFPO – Sector 13- Municipalities.  Any questions you have please forward to [email protected].

Bargaining Updates

Check out some of the most recent bargaining settlements in our sector!

Sector 13: Local 123 – The Corporation of the Township of St. Clair

A four-year renewal agreement effective October 1, 2024, expiring September 30, 2028, settled at Conciliation.General Wage Increase:

• October 1, 2024: 4.00%
• October 1, 2025: 3.50%
• October 1, 2026: 3.00%
• October 1, 2027: $1.00/hr increase
• Extended health care for retiree benefits increased from 70 to 75 years.
• Increase in boot allowance from $200/yr to $300/yr.
• Increase in boot allowance (seasonal employees) from $150 to $300
• Increase to shift premium for hrs worked outside normal work (Monday-Friday) from $1.05/hr to $1.55/hr.
• Increase to Shift premium increase for hrs. worked between 6am to close on Saturday and Sunday from $1.15/hr to $1.65/hr
• Meal allowance increase from $10 to $15 for breakfast, $15 to $20 for lunch, and from $25 to $30 for dinner.
• Lead hand Public Works premium increase from $5.25/hr to $7.25/hr
• Lead Hand Areana premium increase from $1.25/hr to $3.50/hr
• Increase in vacation pay for regular part time employees with less than 5 years from 2% to 4%
• Increase in vacation pay for Regular part time employees with more than 5 years will now receive 6% vacation pay
• Step, adoptive and foster relationships have now been added to 5 day, 3 day and 1 day bereavement leaves
• New Vacation time language

Sector 13: Local 147 – Middlesex London Paramedic Services Logistics

A four-year renewal agreement effective January 1, 2025, expiring December 31, 2028, settled in Bargaining

• General Wage Increase:
• 3.5 0% plus
• $2.0January 1, 2025:
• 3.50 flat rate increase to base for Logistics Officer &
• $1.50 increase to base for Logistics Techs Jan 1/25
• January 1, 2026: 3.50% Jan 1/26
• January 1, 2027: 3.00% Jan 1/27
• January 1, 2028: 2.70% Jan 1/28
• The unit will now select 2 Unit Stewards, was 1 Unit Steward
• New Pregnancy, Parental and Adoption leave language
• Increase in safety footware benefit from $300 to $350/yr
• Employees will now be entitled to 1 float day per year
• Vacation credit increases: 5.5 weeks allotted for members with 15 years of service and 6 weeks for members with 20 years of service.
• New Extended Health Care Language
• Nightshift premium increase from Monday to Thursday from $0.95/hr to $1.10/hr
• Friday to Monday morning increase now from $1.25/hr to $1.35/hr

Sector 13: Local 435 The Corporation of the Township of Lanark Highlands

A three-year renewal agreement effective January 1, 2024, expiring December 31, 2026, settled in BargainingGeneral Wage Increase:

• January 1, 2024: 5.00%
• January 1, 2025: 3.00%
• January 1, 2026: 3.00%
• Employees may accumulate more than their maximum overtime allotment upon approval in writing from the CAO.
• Employees may now carry over more than 1 week vacation upon approval from the CAO
• Improvements in On-Call rates: Where an employee is required to be on-call for a weather event he/she shall receive one dollar and seventy-five cents ($1.75) per hour for all
• hours that he/she is required to be on-call
• Remembrance Day has been added to the list of paid holidays
• $450 every 2 years for eye exams, contact lenses and corrective eye surgery
• Clothing allowance increases for the following
• $975 for Non-Administrative Full-Time Public Works and Facilities/Community Affairs workers
• $450 for Non-Administrative Part-time, Seasonal, Temporary, and Full-Time employees who are hired on contract in Public Works Facilities/Community Affairs workers who have been hired for a term of at least one hundred and fifty (150) days

Sector 13: Local 457 – The County of Lennox and Addington

A three-year renewal agreement effective April 1, 2024, expiring March 31, 2027, settled in Bargaining

• General Wage Increase:
• April 1, 2024: 3.00%
• April 1, 2025: 3.00%
• April 1, 2026: 3.00%
• Medical certificate receipts payment increase now $50, was $40
• Vision care increase from $375 to now $425 per person within 2 yrs
• New Short Term Sickness Plan language

Sector 13: Local 496 – The Corporation on the Country of Hastings

A three-year renewal agreement effective January 1, 2025, expiring December 31, 2027, settled in Bargaining

• General Wage Increase:
• January 1, 2025: 4.00%
• January 1, 2026: 4.00%
• January 1, 2027: 4.00%
• Stronger language for transferring and seniority outside the bargaining unit
• The number of employees allowed to be on union leave has increased from 2 employees to 5 employees
• Safety boot increase from $200 to $300.
• Bereavement leave (1 day) now can include Aunt, Uncle, Niece, and Nephew
• National Day of Truth and Reconciliation has been added to paid holidays
• Employees now on need to have 6 years seniority to get 4 weeks holidays, where formerly this for 7 years seniority.
• Increase to sick days from 6 days/year to 9 days/year.
• Changes to Long Term Disability Payment: Starting on Jan 1, 2026, the employee will now have to pay 75% of the LTD premium and as of Jan 1, 2027, the employee will now have to pay 50% of the LTD premium, where formerly employees paid 100% of the payment.

Congratulations to all who have finished bargaining, and who have made important gains in their collective agreements.

OPSEU/SEFPO BPS Convention Elections

Every two years, OPSEU/SEFPO holds a Broader Public Service (BPS) Conference, where delegates from every BPS sector elect their Divisional Executives (Divex).At the BPS Conference this November, Municipalities Sector 13 delegates elected the following members, please see below for their contact information.

Divisional Executive 2025-2027

Kerri Wells Chair [email protected] Silver Vice Chair [email protected] Wilson Secretary [email protected] Newberry Treasurer [email protected] Ellen Brown Communications Coordinator [email protected] 2025 Divisional Executive,Kerri Wells, Chair, [email protected] Janet Wingeat, Vice Chair, [email protected] Nicole Wilson, Secretary, [email protected] Cheryl Silver, Communications Representative, [email protected] Jen Aylsworth, Treasurer, [email protected]