Employees at Arrell Youth Centre in Hamilton, Ont., reject tentative deal

Contract agreed after mediator entered talks: OPSEU

Employees at Arrell Youth Centre in Hamilton, Ont., reject tentative deal
While some progress was achieved members remained concerned with the employer’s proposed benefits cut, said the union. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Local 216 working at the Arrell Youth Centre in Hamilton, Ont., rejected a tentative deal on Aug. 14, that had been reached on Aug. 11.

After the employer didn’t negotiate for more than a month, a mediator was brought in to help, according to OPSEU.

While some progress was achieved — including an agreement to implement a standard back-to-work protocol that guarantees no reprisals or discipline for employees upon their return to work — members remained concerned with the employer’s proposed benefits cut, said the union.

“The CEO must accept full responsibility for this,” said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU president. “Taking a 20 per cent pay increase, while demanding your frontline staff pay more out of their own pocket for their health benefits is cruel.”

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