/C O R R E C T I O N from Source -- OPSEU; Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)/

In c4394 transmitted at 15:15e today, the fourth paragraph was not included. Corrected copy follows:

OPSEU delivers pay raise at Lee Manor

OWEN SOUND, ON, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - OPSEU members at Lee Manor Home for the Aged will be taking home a 3.5 per cent wage increase this holiday season.

Workers at the nursing home have a new contract that will provide a wage increase of 2.5 per cent for Jan. 1, 2009 and 1 per cent for Jan. 1, 2010, with full retroactivity. Two years of delays in getting the contract will mean that the retroactive pay for most employees will be in the thousands of dollars. The wage increase, effective immediately, was awarded by an independent arbitrator.

OPSEU members who work in the nursing home were also awarded an increase in shift premiums and benefits. Another gain for the employees is a top-up for paid parental leave, a key benefit for new parents. Bereavement leave language was improved, and OPSEU also delivered on a number of important non-monetary items.

"While it took a long time to get this award, our members will now enjoy increases that are long overdue," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "I congratulate our bargaining team for standing their ground and not caving in to an extremely sub-standard offer from the employer."

OPSEU represents about 180 members at Lee Manor and about 400 employees of the County of Grey. 

David Cox, OPSEU Staff Representative:   1-800-269-7376