Office and clerical workers at STEGH receive arbitration award for a first collective agreement

ST. THOMAS, ON, May 4, 2016 /CNW/ - More than 115 office and clerical employees at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) are now represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Local 159.

This interest arbitration was to resolve a first collective agreement for these employees won by OPSEU in a vote under Public Service Labour Relations Transition Act (PSLRTA).

The most important improvements achieved by the members in the award were gaining job security protection, a standardized wage grid with regular service progression and wage increases of 1.4 per cent, 0.7 per cent and 0.7 per cent over the three year term.

Wanda Nancekivell, Unit Steward Local 159, was pleased with the results of the award. "Thanks to the dedication of our bargaining team, we now have a solid first collective agreement that will carry us through into 2017," she said.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas welcomed the new members on behalf of the executive board. "It's never easy for workers to seek out representation by a union," he said. "It's always encouraging when newly organized workers arrive at a first collective agreement that meets their needs and expectations."

OPSEU represents more than 500 workers at STEGH.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Wanda Nancekivell, 519- 685-8500 ext. 52925, [email protected]