Manitoulin Family Resources, OPSEU ratify agreement

Deal includes improvements to wages, holidays

Employees at Manitoulin Family Resources recently ratified a three-year agreement with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

The union represents 30 workers with the agency. The employees service Manitoulin Island, Espanola and the northeast shore of Lake Huron. The OPSEU members voted 75 per cent in favour of the new agreement.

The deal includes annual wage increases of 1.25 per cent, 1.5 per cent and 1.5 per cent.

Improvements to holidays include the addition of the August civic holiday as a designated holiday as well as the addition of two half-day floaters for part-time workers.

The recall period was increased from 18 to 24 months while stronger language provides protections for seniority, lieu hours, scheduling and harassment.

Despite extensive debate, the union reported the parties were unable to come to an agreement on the issue of a pension plan.

The parties’ previous agreement — also a three-year deal — expired on June 30.

“This local is made up of a small number of very caring and hardworking women who are dedicated to helping some of the most vulnerable members in their community,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

“This is an example of what can happen when an employer respects and values its employees, and bargains in good faith.”

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