Healthcare workers employed at five long term care homes in Ontario, including Sarnia's Sumac Lodge, have voted nearly unanimously in favour of ratifying a two-year collective agreement.
The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) said the deal with Extendicare covers over 500 employees working as RPNs [Registered Practical Nurses], personal support workers, dietary workers, and recreation aides.
In a news release, CLAC said the new contract provides all employees with 3.5 per cent wage increases in 2024 and 2025.
The union said it also empowers them to investigate errors in employees’ pay, and employees will now be able to exchange statutory holidays for days of personal, spiritual or cultural significance.
CLAC representative Kevin Gates commented on the agreement.
“The union bargaining committee did an excellent job of identifying employees’ concerns and addressing them through negotiations with the employer," said Gates. "Along with much-needed wage increases, the ability of the union to investigate and eliminate pay errors will alleviate frustrations members have had with discrepancies they’ve dealt with for the past few years with the company’s new payroll system. We’re pleased the agreement was overwhelmingly endorsed by the membership, and we look forward to building on the success of this round of bargaining with the next agreement."
The deal also covers workers at Eagle Terrace in Newmarket, Garden City Manor in St. Catharines, Main Street Terrace in Toronto, and Oak Terrace in Orillia, represented by CLAC Local 304.