ARNPRIOR The union representing 50 long-term care workers at The Grove long-term care facility, operated by the Arnprior and District Memorial Hospital, is celebrating a pay equity agreement that improves the wages of the predominantly female workforce at the Arnprior and District nursing home.
We are pleased to have resolved a long-standing pay equity dispute with our employer, says Eva Clouthier, president of Local 2704 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The members deserve this recognition and equality and its about time.
Current and former employees, members of CUPE 2704, will share a pay equity settlement worth $500,000, retroactive to 1993. On average, the workers will see a $1.30 per hour increase.
Were glad to put this dispute behind us and move forward to improve working conditions at the home, says CUPE National Representative Jim Squires. Pay equity is a legal obligation for employers, and its important that employers respect this.
A pay equity award from December 2002 had been appealed by the employer in this case. Union reps and management met over several months with the help of a provincial pay equity officer to finally reach a tentative agreement on the outstanding issue.
Our members voted overwhelmingly in favour of approving this agreement, says Clouthier. This accomplishment is really thanks to their resolve and solidarity, with a little patience thrown in. We hope other employers will accept their pay equity responsibilities without challenging them. Its the right thing to do on so many levels. Members of CUPE 2704 voted to ratify the agreement on September 30th.
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For further information, please contact:
Eva Clouthier
President, CUPE Local 2704
613-622-0213
Jim Squires
CUPE National Rep.
613-330-1527
Robert Lamoureux
CUPE Communications
416-292-3999