This is an important update about our negotiations for a new JCC collective agreement.
We have completed 6 bargaining sessions with the hospital since November, but have been unable to reach a full and final agreement.
The negotiations have been significantly impacted by the Ontario government’s wage restraint legislation (Bill 124) and subsequent regulation prohibiting negotiation of pandemic pay for certain groups. PIPSC is working with 11 Ontario unions representing over 250,000 provincial public sector employees in a coordinated Charter challenge against Bill 124.
Bill 124 imposes a series of 3-year “moderation periods,” where salary and total compensation for certain public service institutions, including hospitals, are capped at 1% per year. Although Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said that if it was up to him, he would pay health care workers “way more,” his government enacted legislation preventing us from negotiating appropriate increases for wages and benefits.
While we have made some progress in bargaining with the hospital, we have reached
an impasse on several key issues. As a result, PIPSC has filed an application for the appointment of a Conciliation Officer.
Conciliation is a process by which an officer is appointed to meet with the union and the employer in an attempt to resolve differences and reach a collective agreement. If conciliation is unsuccessful, the parties then proceed to binding arbitration to resolve the outstanding issues.
A date for conciliation has been set, for April 21, 2021. We’ll report back to the membership following this meeting.
Bargaining process summary
Survey members – Completed
Finalize proposals – Completed
Exchange proposals with employer – Completed November 4, 2020
Negotiate to achieve tentative agreement – Six days of bargaining completed
Conciliation – April 21, 2021
If conciliation is unsuccessful, proceed to binding arbitration – If necessary
Member ratification vote – After tentative agreement is reached