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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Barry Smith, Director of Communications
905-660-1800 x 303 | b.smith@seiulocal1.org

Next steps in provincial hospital bargaining

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

We are well on our way to a renewed contract for our members in our Provincial Hospitals group, and I am pleased with what we have agreed upon up to now.

SEIU’s Bargaining Committee cooperated, challenged, and even squared off with the OHA during collective agreement negotiations, Aug. 10-14, 2009. I want to thank them personally and on behalf of all SEIU Local 1 Canada for their dedication to our hospital members’ interests and their professionalism.

There is still a good distance to go before the bargaining process is complete. More negotiations, conciliation and possibly arbitration will be required. All of which can occur during the course of contract negotiations, and we should know what course we will be taking within the next three weeks.

The result of the week’s bargaining is many of our members’ proposals have been tabled and are being considered. SEIU members have a lot of superior language in their contract, as compared to other health care unions. This must be protected. Our “10:01 Staff Planning” language is an example: it requires hospital employers to include SEIU members in staff planning or restructuring. That is a big advantage to SEIU members when there is a threat of job losses or contracting out jobs – and let’s face it, that is a real threat in the current economic climate.

The next steps are:

  • Scheduling new dates to meet with the OHA.
  • A conciliation officer was assigned prior to the start of bargaining. She will be joining SEIU and the OHA at some point soon. Having an experienced third party can be helpful to both sides in reaching agreement on more challenging issues.
  • ‘Local Issues’ also have to be identified. ‘Local Bargaining’ follows the ‘Central Bargaining’ process, which we are currently in, to address the ‘local issues’ unique to each hospital, such as scheduling or wage adjustments.

As the bargaining process continues and new information becomes available you will be informed. Information is always available on our website (www.seiulocal1.org). Bargaining Updates will be posted on your union board. You can also call the Member Resource Centre for bargaining updates on 1-877-MRC-SEIU (1-877-672-7348) anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

In Solidarity, Sharleen Stewart
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