Community Living employees reach tentative agreement

THUNDER BAY, ON, May 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Workers at Community Living Thunder Bay have avoided taking job action after a tentative contract agreement was reached Tuesday evening. The employees would have been in a legal strike position at 12:01 May 21.

"We are pleased and relieved that strike action won't be taken," said Erin Rice, president of Local 740 for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union which represents more than 300 staff members at Community Living Thunder Bay. "Our members demonstrated incredible unity in support of their bargaining team and that enabled us to negotiate this deal."

The tentative two-year agreement includes an annual wage increase of 1.5 per cent, retroactive to March 2014. Other improvements include a mileage rate increase and improvements to overnight shift rates.

"It is satisfying to see our bargaining team reach an agreement," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "They held their ground and the end result is a deal they can take back to their members."

Members of Local 740 have been working without a contract since March 31, 2014. Their bargaining team has recommended ratification of the tentative deal.  A vote is scheduled for May 25.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Erin Rice, President, OPSEU Local 740, Tel: [phone]