NEW GLASGOW, NS - CUPE hospital workers from some 30 hospitals across Nova Scotia have accepted a new, two-year deal.
Results of the ratification votes were released this morning in New Glasgow, and the more than 3,300 workers voted strongly in favour of the deal which runs through to March 31, 2006.
Highlights of the new CUPE contract include:
WAGES
2.9% economic increase in each year of a two-year agreement for all employees in Clerical, Health Care or Service Bargaining Units.
2.1% Catch Up increases for Health Care classifications on October 1, 2004 and October 1, 2005 if they are not already the highest paid in Atlantic Canada on that date (as per the NSGEU/Kaplan Award).
IMPROVEMENTS
- Improved Contracting Out Protection
- Reclassification Language
- Retirement Allowance increased from 23 to 26 weeks
- Improvements to the Job Posting process
- Agreement on all outstanding Wage Parity Maintenance review issues
- Additional Bumping Rights
- Creation of a Joint Union/Employer Benefits and Pension Committee
- Improvements to Parental Top-Up Benefits
- Service recognition for Casual Employees
- Just Cause protection for Casual Employees
The contract covers health care, service and clerical employees in every District Health Authority in the province, with the sole exception of the Capital District.
For information:
Wayne Thomas
CUPE Acute Care Co-ordinator
752-2244 (o)
John McCracken
CUPE Communications Rep.
(902) 455-4180 (o)