Rideauwood addictions workers in Ottawa ratify their first contract

Deal includes $1,000 signing bonus: OPSEU

Rideauwood addictions workers in Ottawa ratify their first contract
The addictions workers, who voted to join OPSEU, provide services to nearly 2,500 children, teens, adults, and families across the Ottawa region. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

About 40 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members who provide addictions counselling and services at Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services in Ottawa have their first contract after voting on March 9 to ratify the tentative agreement reached last week.

"We joined together in a union to make sure we have the working conditions we need to offer the best possible services, and that's just what we've done," said Wendy Brown, an addictions counsellor and the chair of OPSEU Local 454's Rideauwood bargaining committee.

The two-year agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018, and expires March 31, 2020. In addition to wage increases, the workers will receive a signing bonus of up to $1,000, and a collective agreement that gives them increased transparency, job security and a formal grievance process, said the union.

The addictions workers, who voted to join OPSEU, provide services to nearly 2,500 children, teens, adults, and families across the Ottawa region.

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