BACK TO BASICS – DID YOU KNOW?
Sector 13 counts some 2500 members divided among 33 bargaining units, each with its own collective agreement. Our members work for different levels of municipal government and municipally funded agencies. We are a diverse group and our work includes administering Ontario Works, Municipal Housing, Child Care subsidies, road maintenance, ambulance maintenance, conservation area programming, driving buses and butterfly programs among other areas.
BARGAINING UPDATES
L261 Regional Municipality of Halton (Maintenance Workers)
A five-year renewal agreement effective January 1, 2023, expiring December 31, 2027, settled by direct bargaining.
- General Wage Increase: 3.30% Jan 1/23, 3.00% Jan 1/24, 3.00% Jan 1/25, 2.50% Jan 1/26, 2.50 % Jan 1/27
- When an employee is required to work in excess of 4 hrs beyond their normal day, the employee will be intitled to a 15-minute rest period and a meal allowance of $15.
- If an employee comes in on a holiday, they will receive 1.5 for all hours worked.
- Bereavement increase for Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law now 3 days off.
- Vision Care coverage now $400 every 24 months, was $300
- Paramedical Services increase now $800 per year, was $600
- Mental Health Services providers up to a combined max of $5000 per year
- Orthodontic increase now $2500 lifetime, was $2000 lifetime
- Clothing allowance increase now $300 per year, was $275 per year
- Safety boot increase now $250 per year, was $225
- Standby premium increase now $2.50 per hour, was $2.20 per hour
- Standby on holiday premium now $2.75 per hour, was $2.25 per hour
L457 – The County of Lennox and Addington
A three-year renewal agreement effective April 1, 2024, expiring March 31, 2027, settled by direct bargaining
- General Wage Increase: 3.00% Apr 1/24, 3.00% Apr 1/25, 3.00% Apr 1/26
- Medical certificate receipts payment increase now $40, was $50
- Vision care increase now $25 per person within 2 yrs, was $375
- New Short Term Sickness Plan language
L266 – The Corporation of the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula
A three-year renewal agreement effective January 1, 2026, expiring December 31, 2028, settled by direct bargaining.
- General Wage Increase: 4.00% and $1.50 per hr to all hrs, Jan 1/26, 3.00%, Jan 1/27, 3.00% Jan 1/28
- Overtime will now be paid after 40 hrs worked per week, was 44 hrs per week
- Winter Premium now $1.00 per hr for hrs worked be-tween Nov 15 and Apr 10, was $0.75 per hr
- Employees who worked 4 or more hrs after shift will now receive $200 meal allowance.
- An employee who notifies their supervisor of their expected birth of a child shall now be provided 2 days off with pay to attend birth
- Employer will now provide $500 per year for clothing allowance
L280 – Peel Housing Corp Owned and Operated as Peel Living
A three-year renewal agreement effective July 1, 2023, expiring June 30, 2026, settled by Direct Bargaining.
- General Wage Increase: 3.50% Jul 1/23, 3.50% Jul 1/24, 3.50% Jul 1/25
- Promotions and Transfer allowance increase now $800, was $500
- National Day of Truth and Reconciliation has been added to paid holidays
- Vision Care Increase now $400, was $375
UPCOMING EVENTS AND SAVE THE DATES
June 17, DivEx Meeting, Sudbury for Highest Ranking
November 17, DivEx Meeting, Toronto, for Highest Ranking
September 25, Leadership Conference, location TBA
August 16-19, AMO Conference, Ottawa
October 26, Municipal Election
Knowing how municipal elections work in Ontario is important because it allows for better representation of local needs in decision making, better understanding of the impact of politics, and increased enthusiasm within communities.
The next municipal election will be held Monday, October 26, 2026.
MEET THE DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE
We’d like to take the opportunity to tell you a bit about each of the members of our 2025-2027 Municipalities Sector 13 Divisional Executive. We look forward to working with you over the next two years!
Kerri Wells, Chair, Local 266
I have been a Caseworker with Grey County Social Services since 2011. In 2015, I was elected as a Union Steward for my local, and since that time I have been a strong advocate for our members.
That same year, I attended my first BPS Conference and was nominated to run for a position on the executive. I was elected as the Communications Coordinator for Sector 13, later serving as Vice Chair, and now as Chair for my second consecutive term.
I am proud to be part of the Municipalities Sector Executive and look forward to continuing the work ahead over the next two years as Chair of Sector 13.
Cheryl Silver, Vice Chair, Local 496
I’ve been involved with the DivEx for the past few years as Communications however in November 2025 I was elected as Vice Chair. I’m currently chief steward for local 496 but held the President position for several yrs in my local as well. I have work for Hastings County Belleville for just over 25 years. I’m looking forward to working with this great bunch on the DivEx as Vice Chair. I truly believe that the DivEx moving around to meet each sector is important as well as helpful to make sure everyone knows who we are and what we do!
Nicole Wilson, Secretary, Local 496
This is my third term on the DivEx as secretary. I have been secretary for Local 496 for approximately 10 years. I am an Ontario works caseworker in Hastings County for 25 years this year and I work in one of our rural sub-offices.
I am excited for changing up locations for our DivEx meeting and connecting with other sector members to find out their successes and issues.
Stephen Newberry, Treasurer, Local 529
Stephen currently serves as 1st Vice President and Co-chair of the Local 529 Joint Health & Safety Committee, as well as a member of the 2026 Collective Bargaining Team. Previously, he held the role of Chief Steward and contributed as a team member in the last two collective bargaining agreements. With more than a decade of union experience, Stephen has been dedicated to supporting his Local executive team and advocating for the interests of all members under the collective agreement.
Recently, Stephen became a member of the DivEx Sector 13 Team, where he will focus on assisting DivEx and Local members in their advocacy efforts.
Mary Ellen Brown, Communications Coordinator, Local 328
Mary Ellen brings more than 15 years of dedicated union activism and leadership to her work representing members. She has proudly served as Local 328 Vice President for over eight years and continues to advocate for workers in her role as Chief Steward. She is known for her strong commitment to member engagement and solidarity.
Mary Ellen is excited to take on her new position as Communications Coordinator for the Sector 13 DivEx, where she looks forward to strengthening connections, sharing member stories, and enhancing communication across the sector.
TWO YEAR PLAN
- Hold 2-day DivEx meetings around the province to promote engagement and attendance from all municipalities.
- Plan a Sector bargaining conference for 2027, pending budget.
- Spring and Fall newsletter to keep members up to date
- Send out bargaining highlights as they come in to better enhance local bargaining.
- Revamp the Sector bylaws.
- Annual meeting at Convention
- Maintain our CUPE relationship.
- Maintain and promote the Sector 13 Facebook account to keep members better informed.
- Hold an annual Leadership Conference to promote communication, engagement and cross local learning.
…and SO MUCH MORE!