CUPE Health Care Support Staff Ratify Seven-Year Deal
September 23, 2022 at 12:06 PM
CUPE Health Care Support Staff from CUPE 204/Shared Health and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), CUPE 500/WRHA – Riverview Health Centre and WRHA Corporate, CUPE 4270/ Southern Health-Santé Sud (SH-SS), and CUPE 8600/Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) have voted to accept the new collective agreement. The ratification date is September 23, 2022.
The collective agreement will expire on March 31, 2024.
The new agreement includes wage increases in each year of the agreement including retroactive pay, a signing bonus for all members, an increase in shift premiums, improvements for the Community Programs/Home Care groups, a more flexible “single-day” vacation system for all members, double overtime and market adjustments.
“This was an incredibly difficult round of negotiations due to government interference, attempted wage freeze, disruptive restructuring, forced union amalgamations, and the pandemic,” said Shannon McAteer, CUPE Health Care Coordinator. “Despite these challenges, this new agreement sets a solid foundation for the next round of negotiations.”
The employer has 120 days within which to issue retroactive pay and the signing bonus. It will be issued on a separate pay deposit. Former employees (retired or quit) have 90 days to write to the employer requesting retroactive pay they are owed following the rules posted on the Local’s website.
“We thank all CUPE members who took the time to vote either electronically or in person and are committed to continue to improve your contract,” said McAteer. “We will continue to hold the provincial government accountable and push back against any attacks on our public health care system and the workers who support it”.
Throughout negotiations, health care support staff have felt extremely disrespected by the current government–and continue to feel undervalued. Many members told us they voted not because they liked the deal, but because they could not wait any longer.
In solidarity,
Your Bargaining Council
Local 204
Debbie Boissonneault, President
Colin Hall
Daniel Richards
Scott Solmundson
Alternate: Kim Grey
Alternate: Theresa Proctor
Local 500
Limson Mestito, Unit President
CUPE Staff
Shannon McAteer, Health Care Lead Bargainer
Robyn Powell
Ric McAlpine
Alex McClurg
George Bouchard
Local 4270
Holly Chaperon, President
Cindy Terwin
Local 8600
Christine Lussier, President
Marie Nixon
