Latest news with #collectiveagreement
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Health PEI, CUPE workers reach tentative three-year agreement
Health PEI and members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have reached a tentative three-year collective agreement that includes wage increases and service retention premiums. The agreement is retroactive to April 1, 2023 and will run until March 31, 2026, according to a news release from Health PEI. Members from CUPE Locals 805, 1051, 1778 and 1779 will vote on the agreement next Tuesday. Combined, the four CUPE Locals represent more than 1,300 health-care workers in P.E.I. They work in laundry, maintenance, dietary, housekeeping and more. 'It has been a very difficult five years for our members. We went through COVID-19, rising living costs, staff shortages, and more than two years without a contract,' said Robyn Sharpe, president of CUPE Local 1051, in the release. 'This investment recognizes the critical role our members play in the health system and gives them the respect and support they deserve.' The agreement includes: general wage increases of 10.5 per cent across three years a $5.50/hour wage grid reset to improve competitiveness and address wage compression service retention premiums of two per cent after 10 years of service and an additional two per cent after 15 years increased shift premiums a $500 retiree return incentive a full-time commitment pay of $1.07/hour worked 'This was one of the most difficult rounds of negotiations we've faced, but it resulted in a historic agreement that our members have earned,' said John MacKenzie, chief shop steward for Local 805. 'I am not the only one who feels that this deal will be life-changing for workers. It's an exceptionally good deal, and I'm happy to see that Health PEI and the Province are investing in their front-line staff.' For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
National Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Workers at Toronto Community Housing ratify New Collective Agreement
Article content TORONTO — After more than three months of bargaining, members of the Toronto Civic Employees' Union, CUPE 416, who work at Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), have ratified a new collective agreement. Article content 'We're proud of the work our members do every day to support TCHC tenants, and this agreement reflects the value of that work,' said Eddie Mariconda, president of CUPE 416. 'We were able to reach a deal that makes meaningful improvements thanks to the strength and solidarity of our members.' Article content Article content CUPE 416 represents approximately 900 workers at TCHC who provide plumbing, electrical, carpentry, cleaning and supervisory services to more than 110,000 residents living in nearly 60,000 rental units across the city. These members play a key role in maintaining safe, supportive, and affordable housing for some of Toronto's most vulnerable communities. Article content Article content Article content Article content : Article content Article content Article content
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Laval and police brotherhood sign ‘bold' new collective agreement
The City of Laval and the Police Brotherhood signed a new collective agreement for the Laval Police Service on Friday—a deal Mayor Stéphane Boyer described as 'fairly bold, fairly innovative compared to other police forces.' The agreement, in principle, was ratified by 78 per cent of the police brotherhood's members. It includes the transfer of certain administrative duties to civilian staff, freeing up 20,000 additional investigative hours for police officers—at a lower cost to the city. The new contract also introduces the deployment of cadets across Laval to manage traffic, representing another salary-saving measure for the municipality. In terms of compensation, the agreement includes salary increases totalling 22.2 per cent over five years. This figure combines base wage hikes with 'urban security premiums' tied to the unique challenges officers face in large urban centres. The city also aimed to boost police presence on the streets to strengthen residents' sense of safety. In an interview, Mayor Boyer said he was particularly proud of the deal. 'What we were looking for was greater efficiency and more officers on the streets. This agreement allows us to achieve that. And in my view, it's quite a bold and innovative deal compared to other police forces—recovering thousands of hours of investigation and street presence. We're really pleased with the outcome, and I think it's going to be a win-win, both for the officers and for the public,' said Boyer. Sylvain Tardif, president of the Laval Police Brotherhood, also welcomed the new agreement, saying it 'recognizes the dedication and professionalism officers bring to their work every day in keeping Laval residents safe.' 'The new contract offers working conditions that reflect the growing responsibilities of our officers, who work in a complex environment and are facing an evolving and increasingly sophisticated criminal landscape,' Tardif added. Pierre Brochet, director of the Laval Police Service, also noted that the new agreement will allow police to 'fight crime more effectively, while ensuring a stronger presence in the community.' The collective agreement will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2028. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 6, 2025. By Lia Lévesque, The Canadian Press
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘Higher than anticipated' salary settlement causing pressure on Saskatoon police budget
Saskatoon's police chief says an arbitrator's decision over a new collective agreement is raising officers' salaries and putting pressure on the service's budget. Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Chief Cam McBride said a settlement finalized last December for backpay is largely the reason for a 10.4 per cent increase to its 2026 budget being presented to Saskatoon City Council. 'It was higher than we anticipated,' McBride said. 'Looking at the financial pressure over the course of the contract, we were able to absorb that within savings for 2025.' But an additional $4.7 million that can't be covered by the SPS stabilization fund is needed to carry forward to the 2026 budget, he says. With a new contract set for Jan. 1, 2026, McBridge says the service needed to factor in additional salary increases and large call volumes in its 2027 ask to council. 'When you look at the significant increase, it's predominantly making up for contract settlements from previous years,' McBride said. A financial forecast released by city administration on Wednesday warned of property tax increases of 9.9 per cent in 2026, and 7.34 per cent in 2027. Police account for nearly 22 per cent of all spending at City Hall — the highest of any expenditure. The 2025 budget totaled $141.4 million when approved last December. Next year, initial estimates provided to administration outline an increase of $13.6 million, or 10.42 per cent. In 2027, the police budget is expected to grow by another $9.2 million, or 6.41 per cent. By these estimates, Saskatoon's police budget would account for a 4.09 per cent increase to property taxes alone next year. The arbitration award last December came out just days after city council finalized the SPS budget. On Thursday, McBride made the case for his team. He said police can't ignore the growing number of calls for service after roughly 30,000 people moved to Saskatoon in the last two years. While he said the growth in its budget is 'very responsible,' it won't leave the city or community safety vulnerable. 'We're doing the very best we can to manage through a difficult year,' he said. 'But certainly, our growth plans remain solid, and our commitment to the City of Saskatoon remains solid.' Work to reduce the potential property tax hike has already begun for city council. Mayor Cynthia Block says council could vote through a zero per cent property tax increase, but it would come at the cost of police or core services. She said she doesn't want to make the mistake other cities do when it comes to reducing budgets by 'kicking the can down the road' and would rather keep up with best practices when it comes to roadways or sidewalks and maintain existing funding, so Saskatoon doesn't fall behind. 'I don't know, these are the important conversations that we're going to have to have over the coming months to try to bring this in line with what people can afford, and I guess what we might be willing to give up,' Block said. Administration is recommending a city committee refine the budget to reduce the proposed property tax rate increases by 1 percentage point when it meets next week. To do so, the city would need to find savings of $3.31 million in the 2026 budget. A city report said this could be accomplished by adjusting proposed phase-ins for projects like fire halls and a new leisure centre previously approved by council. All budget numbers are estimates and are subject to change ahead of budget deliberations in November.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Montreal transit agency urges commuters to prepare as STM maintenance strike nears
As the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) maintenance workers' strike approaches, the agency is urging commuters to plan ahead, consider active transportation options, or work from home. The STM has said the strike, which runs from June 9 to 17, will affect traffic across Montreal. 'We're aware of the inconvenience this strike may cause for our customers, and we're doing everything we can to help ensure their trips go as smoothly as possible,' said STM general manager Marie-Claude Léonard. 'We're in a time of change, and it's important that we refocus on our core mission: moving people. Given the STM's current financial context, we need to ensure our operations remain cost-effective. This must be reflected in the ongoing collective agreement negotiations in order to respect the financial limits of our funding partners.' An essential services schedule will remain in place, as per a ruling by Quebec's labour tribunal, the Tribunal administratif du travail. Bus and Metro service will run normally during the Montreal Grand Prix, from June 13 to 15. Paratransit will also not be affected by the strike. June 9 to 11 According to the STM, school routes and shuttle buses for planned outings will operate as usual, even during off-peak hours. REM replacement shuttles will only run between 11:15 p.m. and 1:15 a.m. Metro stations will be closed outside scheduled service hours. June 12, 16 and 17 On these dates, the STM will operate at 50 per cent capacity. Metro service will run at half the usual frequency—one train out of two—and roughly half of all bus trips will be cancelled. The exact number of cancellations will vary depending on operational needs. No refunds or compensation The STM said no refunds or financial compensation will be offered for activated monthly or weekly passes. However, other fare types may be used at a later date or could be eligible for a refund. he agency added that negotiations are ongoing. It has proposed the use of a third party to help find solutions and potentially speed up talks with the union.
