MPAC workers ratify new three-year agreement

TORONTO, June 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Frontline staff at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) voted today to ratify the tentative agreement reached by their bargaining team on June 17.

In voting this morning, members across the province voted 90 per cent in favour of the deal. The new agreement includes a 1.4 per cent lump sum payment in the first year, along with 1.4 per cent wage increases in the second and third years of the agreement. It also includes an end-of-year shutdown that will provide paid leave to all staff between noon on December 24 and New Year's Day, starting in 2017. This replaces two floating holidays, for a net increase of a half-day of paid leave.

"This agreement protects members from many of the effects of employer takeaways over the life of this agreement, including changes to post-retirement health benefits," said David Lynch, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team. "It also includes financial support for members that will help to offset the cost of accreditation and professional membership fees."

"The strong vote of support for this deal is a testament to the hard work of not only the whole bargaining team, but all the members across the province who supported our team tirelessly throughout this process."

The three-year collective agreement also includes increases in union leave, mileage provisions, and improvements for temporary workers.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas noted that the deal that was achieved was only possible thanks to the commitment and activism of members across the province. "This was a very difficult bargaining round, with the employer pushing forward with demands for concessions from our members. In the face of those demands, members stood firm and gave their bargaining team a strong strike vote. At the same time, OPSEU members across the province stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the members at MPAC, sending a clear message to the employer. The consistent support of all members throughout this round of bargaining, both those who work at MPAC and those across our union, gave the team at the table the strength they needed to get this deal."

OPSEU members at MPAC are trained professionals who are responsible for ensuring that every property in Ontario is valued correctly. Every four years, these 1400 members carefully assess the value of more than five million properties across Ontario, delivering real value to municipalities and municipal stakeholders.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Craig Ashbourne, A/Communications Officer, 226-821-1725