When We Fight, We Win
November 29 – Bill 124 Ruled Unconstitutional!
While over a hundred SEIU members at Sunnybrook Health Science Centre rallied against Doug Ford’s anti-worker laws, the Ontario Superior Court ruled Bill 124 unconstitutional!
This is a win for ALL workers. And a message to the government: keep your hands off our rights to bargain a fair collective agreement.
When Premier Doug Ford passed his anti-worker legislation in 2019, SEIU Healthcare and ten other unions representing over 250,000 public sector employees took coordinated action to challenge Bill 124 in court.
We organized hundreds of rallies, continued to call on MPPs, held press conferences, signed petitions, and shared how much Bill 124 hurt workers like you on the frontline every chance we got.
Shortly after the announcement, SEIU Healthcare President Sharleen Stewart spoke on CP24 about why this is a big win for workers.
We expect the Ford government to appeal the court’s decision. That means that in 2023, we must continue to pressure Ford and employers. Ford is not for the people, and he does not have your back. We need to do everything we can to fight back and hold him accountable for his unjust actions.
Bargaining Victories
Paramed
After a long and futile attempt to bargain a collective agreement with ParaMed your SEIU Healthcare elected bargaining committees and ParaMed entered an agreement to attend arbitration.
Both parties participated in mediation in November 2022, followed by an arbitration hearing on January 2022. This arbitration award is historic in the homecare sector as it outlines gains never seen in one round of collective bargaining. Having your bargaining committee and SEIU Union Representatives working together, we were able to secure gains and fend off concessions. Some Award Highlights include:
- Five (5) paid sick days
- General wage increases
- Improved benefits (paramedical)
- Improved mileage compensation
- Related experience pay
- Established wage grids across all classifications
- Lump Sum retroactive payments awarded
- Retroactive payments to all current and former employees within 60 days
CarePartners
On December 1, they agreed to a new collective agreement that is a step in the right direction toward the respect, protection and pay they deserve.
But their fight is not done. Together we call on the Ford government to provide more funding to the developmental services sector and WSIB to all DSWs. Thank you to all Kerry’s Place members who set a prime example for the rest of the labour movement that progress is possible when you stand up for your rights.
Kerry’s Place Autism Services – Homecare and Community Care
Bargaining for Kerry’s Place commenced in May 2022. After several bargaining meetings, hundreds of letters to the Board of Directors and CEO, rallies, and a two-week strike, members continue to show strength, solidarity and resilience.
On December 1, they agreed to a new collective agreement that is a step in the right direction toward the respect, protection and pay they deserve.
But their fight is not done. Together we call on the Ford government to provide more funding to the developmental services sector and WSIB to all DSWs. Thank you to all Kerry’s Place members who set a prime example for the rest of the labour movement that progress is possible when you stand up for your rights.
“Bargaining has been a very frustrating and long process, but our union representative has been supportive and kept us informed every step of the way. Throughout this process, we have learned so much and are bringing back a lot of experience from the table to our workplace to help our co-workers.”
– Kerry’s Place Autism Services Bargaining Committee
Central Nursing Home Bargaining
In August 2022, the Arbitrator presented the Central Nursing Home Bargaining Award. The deal could not have been achieved without the work and commitment of the bargaining committee. They demonstrated the power of the union.
Some contracts affected by Bill 124 can be reopened and renegotiated, and they are being investigated. We will keep our central nursing home members updated in the new year.
For-Profit Wage Increase:
- 3% General Wage Increase
- RPN Adjustment: $0.50
- $3.00 PSW Permanent Wage Enhancement included in the wage grid
Not-For-Profit Wage Increase:
- 1% General Wage Increase
- $3.00 PSW Permanent Wage Enhancement included in the wage grid
Some homes also received improvements in the removal of the requirement to rotate on shift premiums, the language for health and safety, job security, mental health resources, etc. For the highlight document, please click here.
Central Hospital Bargaining
Bargaining initially started in January 2021 and continued into 2022.
If you want a refresher on the timeline, click here
Arbitration began this year. During bargaining and arbitration, we highlighted how hurtful Bill 124 was to our negotiating process.
In the 2022 Central Hospital Bargaining Award, wage increases were 1% and 1% for each year of a two-year contract due to Bill 124. The bargaining committee was able to secure a significant benefit improvement of $800 a year for mental health, which is a positive step in the right direction, but still not as much as you need and deserve.
The good news is that the Superior Court Justice ruling Bill 124 unconstitutional has allowed us to work on an action plan to re-open the contract and seek improvements to wage and benefit increases. We will keep our central hospital members updated in the new year.