PHO refuses to address our need for fair compensation
After seven bargaining dates, where we tabled our reasonable collective demands to the employer, a negotiated deal could not be reached, despite the hard work of your bargaining team.
One of the major sticking points is that the employer is refusing to address our need for parity with hospital professionals who do the same work we do, but receive higher compensation.
- PHO has refused to agree to wage parity with hospital professionals.
- PHO has also refused to agree to parity with hospital professionals on evening, weekend and callback premiums.
Taking our demands to arbitration
Just like hospital professionals, we are also bound by HLDAA (Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act) and do not have the right to strike, so we will be moving to interest arbitration.
It’s ironic that, while we are treated like hospital professionals in labour law, we aren’t treated like hospital professionals by our employer when it comes to compensation.
During interest arbitration, all outstanding issues will be submitted to a neutral third party, an arbitrator, who will make a final and binding decision – this is called issuing an award.
Our demands are reasonable and we look forward to taking them to arbitration in the near future. We’ll provide more information as it comes available on upcoming arbitration dates.
Have you been denied full payment for paramedical benefits?
It came to our attention during bargaining that our members were having all paramedical benefit claims limited to “reasonable and customary limits”, which is a violation of Article 21.4.8 of our collective agreement.
Only our psychological benefits are subject to “reasonable and customary limits” under our collective agreement language.
File a grievance today if this has impacted you!
If you have had any paramedical benefit claims other than psychological benefits limited or not paid out fully due to “reasonable and customary limits”, it’s time to file a grievance!
A policy grievance (by the union) and individual grievances (by members impacted) need to be filed as soon as possible. We are coordinating grievances and can help you file your individual grievance.
Send an email to your bargaining team chair, Casey McGuire, at kc.mcguire1374@gmail.com and include the following information:
- Your full name and job title
- Your local number (if you know it)
- Your work location/office
- A brief description of the benefit claim that was subject to “Reasonable and customary limits”.
There is strength in numbers! The more individual grievances we file, the stronger the message to the employer that we will enforce our collective agreement language.
A message from OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick:
“I want to commend all of you, and your bargaining team, for standing strong together and demanding fair compensation for the hard work that you do. I encourage everyone to get involved in the grievance action to protect your paramedical benefits. When the employer sees you coming together to enforce your contract, it shows that you are willing to stand together and fight for your rights, especially as you move into arbitration. PHO members will not be standing alone – you have your entire union, OPSEU/SEFPO, behind you as well.”
Update your contact info and stay in the know!
We need at least one contact person in every local! If you’d like to volunteer to be a contact for your local, email Casey McGuire at kc.mcguire1374@gmail.com.
We are committed to keeping all members informed on arbitration developments by sending regular bulletins.
Here’s how to update your contact information:
- If you haven’t already signed an OPSEU/SEFPO card, fill out your member application form here: https://hub03.opseu.org/Forms/emaweb
- If you’re already a signed OPSEU/SEFPO member, register for the Member Portal to update your information here: https://members.opseu.org/
Click here for instructions on how to create a Member Portal account and update your info: https://shorturl.at/V9QXL
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Team:
Casey McGuire, Bargaining Team Chair, Local 412 – kc.mcguire1374@gmail.com
Cathy Masterson, Bargaining Team Vice Chair, Local 522 – mascf1@gmail.com
Jason Gasgas, Local 545 – jason.gasgas@yahoo.com
Deanna Thompson, Local 432 – oct15bride@gmail.com
Pak Yip, Local 545 – pakmingyip@gmail.com