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TORONTO, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Members of Unifor Locals 229 and 1359 ratified a collective agreement with the Ontario Hospital Association, with a vote of more than 80% in favour of the agreement.
The agreement includes annual wage increases and benefit enhancements, in addition to other gains for a variety of hospital service, clerical and paramedical workers in northern hospitals.
"Health care workers do incredibly important work that touches all of our lives, at some point or another. They deserve to be fairly compensated," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.
Despite growing pressure on health care workers to accept concessions and wage freezes, Unifor's bargaining committees and members have been determined to improve wages and benefits.
"The resolve of our health care members to protect their wages – and patient care – has been unwavering," said Dias.
"Throughout Canada, our members are telling us that protecting health care funding is a priority," added Dias. "Unifor is fighting for adequate health care funding at the bargaining table, in our conversations with government and on the streets."
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers, including 23, 000 health care workers in Ontario. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.
SOURCE Unifor
