The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has ratified deals with its full-time faculty, professional librarians and professional staff.
The fifth collective agreement was reached with the NOSM Academic and Professional Staff Union (Unit 1 of OPSEU Local 677).
Both the NOSM Academic and Professional Union's Members and NOSM's Board of Directors voted in favour of ratifying the new collective agreement June 29.
The agreement covers four years and is in effect from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2022. It provides for annual wage increases of 1.7 per cent in the first year, followed by 1.75 per cent in the second year, 1.80 per cent in the third and 1.9 per cent in the fourth year, with provision for Lakehead University and Laurentian University comparator adjustments in years three and four.
The agreement also includes enhancements to various components of the benefit package over the four-year agreement, as well as a number of other improvements.
Formal negotiations began in March 2018, led by chief negotiators Garth O’Neill (NOSM) and Dr. Geoffrey Hudson (Academic and Professional Staff Union).
NOSM and its board of directors look forward to the continuation of a strong professional and productive partnership with OPSEU Unit 1 over the next four years, and are appreciative of their members' contributions to the school's vision of innovative education and research for a Healthier North, said a press release.
On behalf of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine board of directors, chair Pierre Zundel (who's the interim president of Laurentian University) said he would like to thank the members of both negotiating teams for their hard work in reaching an agreement that will ultimately benefit learners and communities across the North.
Nicole Bessette, president of OPSEU Unit 1, also extends her appreciation for the work of the teams and the support of Members in reaching an agreement.
