Ottawa hospital workers vote 94 per cent in favour of new contract
Apr 14, 2005 12:15 PM
OTTAWA, Ont. – Ottawa hospital workers, members of Local 4000 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), voted 94 per cent in favour of a two-year collective agreement last night (Wednesday, April 13th). CUPE 4000 represents over 3,000 hospital workers.
“This contract will help our members concentrate on what they do best, helping patients and providing quality hospital services,” said Diane Lavoie, president of CUPE 4000. “As union president, it’s my job to take care of my members, but their job is taking care of the public – I’m happy they’ll be able to do that with good labour relations, working with our employer to provide the best possible care.”
The deal includes a 3 per cent wage increase in the first year, 2.5 per cent in the second year, improvements to medical, bereavement, education and compassionate leave, and job security. The new contract is patterned on a deal reached earlier between CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA).
“With super bugs and communicable diseases in the workplace, the hospital is a dangerous place to work,” said Lavoie. “For our members, it’s their dedication to providing quality public health care and saving lives that keeps them going – it’s a labour of love more than anything else.”
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Diane Lavoie, CUPE 4000 president - 613-614-0652 (cell)
Richard Gauthier, CUPE National Rep. - 613-237-0115
Chantale Grenon-Nyenhuis, CUPE National Rep. - 613-237-0115
Robert Lamoureux, CUPE Communications - 416-292-3999