With the OPSEU strike tentatively over, union members in Sudbury had the chance to see the details and vote on the offer over the weekend.
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Leah Casselman |
The sessions were held Friday and Saturday at the Willett Green Centre on the Laurentian University campus in Sudbury.
During the sessions OPSEU members were treated to an information session outlining details of the proposal as well as the opportunity to vote on the agreement.
In a published report, OPSEU president Leah Casselsman praised Premier Ernie Eves for taking initiative in rectifying the strike.
?He seems to be wanting to put a different face on the government,? Casselman commented shortly after the announcement of the deal. ?This is a huge victory for us.?
Here are some details of the proposed contract settlement between the Province and OPSEU which are broken up into four main areas.
? An 8.45 per cent wage increase over three years, plus an additional one per cent for employees at the top of the pay scale, excluding jail workers.
? An 8.45 per cent increase over three years for corrections workers as well as an immediate five per cent increase.
? Immediate wage hikes for medical and chemical laboratory technologists, classroom assistants and school aides, and a four per cent pay increase in lieu of benefits.
? OPSEU won the right to maintain control of half of a $2-billion pension surplus that can be used for early retirement plans or contribution holidays.
If, as expected, the majority of the province?s 14,000 OPSEU members vote in favour of the new deal, the majority of workers are expected back on the job Monday morning and by the end of the week at the latest.
Three years ago during the last OPSEU strike, a deal was reached between the government and union after five weeks on the picket line.
