Millwoods Shepherd’s Care ratify one-year collective agreement
EDMONTON – Members of AUPE Local 047/014 who work at the Millwoods Extended Care Centre for the Shepherd’s Care Foundation have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement that delivers significant wage and benefit improvements matching those of the Kensington Care Centre.
“Our members strongly endorsed the work of our bargaining committee, as seen by this vote,” said AUPE Staff Negotiator John Wevers, who led the union bargaining committee. “These employees will now receive benefits and pay that is competitive with comparable worksites, and which are in line with market demands in the region.”
The ratification vote was held at the workplace Thursday. The collective agreements for Millwoods and Kensington Village will expire on the same date- August 31, 2010.
“The terms negotiated in the latest Millwoods collective agreement marks a 90 per cent similarity in contract language, terms, and conditions between these bargaining units,” said Wevers.
“The terms in this collective agreement marks a huge step toward the long-term goal of consolidation of the Shepherd’s Care collective agreements for Millwoods Care Centre, Kensington Village, Greenfield, Millwoods Manor, Southside Manor and Barrhead” he concluded.
Among the highlights of the agreement are:
• Salary increases between 8 and 12 per cent for all staff in the one year term of the agreement;
• Shift differentials pay for evenings to a maximum of $2.75 per hour
• Night shift increases to a maximum of $5 per hour
• Weekend premium increases to $3 per hour
• Signing payment of $250 within 30 days of ratification
• Retention payment of $350 within 30 days of June 1, 2010
New additions to the contract include:
• Premium Assignment Pay for building responsibility or security responsibility
• Charge pay in addition to regular salary
• Employees receive up to three professional development days with pay
• Up to $150 reimbursement for professional fees
Benefits improvements include:
• “Superstat” pay of double full pay, plus another day off with pay for working Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Four Special Leave days with pay for family illness and emergent matters.
• Local Authorities Pension Plan enrollment for full-time and part-time employees
• Contribution to the Existing Defined Contribution RSP for current employees involved and one-month window for any other current employees
• Improvements to the Dental Plan fee schedule based on current year costs
• $250 flexible Health Spending Account
The tentative agreement was signed Aug. 21, 2009.
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