WINNIPEG - Workers in the community residential services of the Salvation Army have voted to approve a new collective agreement.
Last week a tentative settlement was reached between the Salvation Army and the Canadian Union of Public Employees. CUPE represents the crisis workers at the Mobile Crisis Unit, the Haven and Anchorage/Booth Men’s and Women’s Residence.
According to Mark Kernaghan, CUPE Representative for the workers, “we were able to achieve a decent living wage and benefits for the members. It took time, but we were able to finally implement the wage study that we and the employer have wanted for a number of years.”
“The new collective agreement improved overtime rates, shift premiums and froze employee benefit contributions as well, which are all important to us,” Kernaghan added.
Workers at the Haven and Anchorage services have not had a contract since September 2000. Negotiations went into mediation late last year and an agreement was finalized before the union members said they would take strike action.
The 50 CUPE members at Salvation Army provide front line services for people with mental illness or in crisis need of addiction counseling, personal support and housing.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union representing more than a half-million women and men. In Manitoba, CUPE represents 24,000 members in health care, education, municipalities, social services, child care, utilities, libraries and emergency services.
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For more information, please contact:
Mark Kernaghan, CUPE Representative - 942-0343 ext. 216
Dennis Lewycky, CUPE Communications - 942-0343 ext. 207