Bargaining Update
Bagaining Update (March 29, 2023)
Dear Members,
During the last round of negotiations, both Local 565 Union Bargaining Team and the Employer agreed to a Wage Re-Opener Letter of Understanding should Bill 124 be declaredunconstitutional. As previously communicated, the Bill was declared unconstitutional in December 0f 2022.
The Ontario Government has appealed the decision and it will be heard in June of 2023.
However, based on the Wage Re-Opener LOU, the Union and Employer met on March 27 th ,2023. The Union presented what it felt was a reasonable increase in wages and benefits based on thecurrent rate of inflation and the need to assist families during these difficult times.
The Employer has taken the proposal back for review and will schedule a meeting with theUnion at a later date. We will provide updates as they become available.
In Solidarity,
Local 565
Bargaining Team
Bargaining Update (March 2023)
Re: Bargaining Update
Hello OPSEU/SEFPO Local 565 Members
Following on my last communication, I would like to provide you with further updates as to where we are with returning to the bargaining table with the Employer.
The Bargaining Team met this week to build upon your existing demand set and prepared a monetary proposal for wage and benefit increases to submit to the Employer for our Bill 124 Wage Re-Opener.
A date has been set to meet with the Employer: Monday March 27, 2023, the bargaining team will meet with the Employer to present the monetary proposal. The Employer will be taking the proposal back for review and another meeting date will be set for further discussion.
The Bargaining Team and/or I will continue to provide further updates.
In Solidarity
Nigel Edwards (He/Him/il/lui)
President OPSEU/SEFPO Local 565
Order-in-Council Update (Nov 2022)
Dear Local 565 Members:
I just wanted to update you on the status of the Collective Agreement (CA). We have been in constant communication with the employer over the last few months. To date the employer has advised The Order-In-Council (OIC) has yet to sign off on the new CA.
Given the considerable length of time since the member ratification vote on March 9, 2022. I have been in consultation with OPSEU and our Bargaining Negotiator. OSPEU legal will be sending a letter to the employer regarding the delays. Unfortunately, we used this approach in our last round of bargaining to get the OIC to sign the CA. I will keep you updated when more information becomes available.
Moreover, I have received inquiries regarding the 5-day vacation carry over negotiated in the new collective agreement as we are still waiting for the OIC. In consultation with CAO Joe Pittari and HR Director Lucie Walker, I’m pleased to announce the employer is committed to bargaining in good faith and will be honouring this commitment as they did with the September 30th Day of National Truth and Reconciliation.
Please contact HR should you require information on the 5-day carry over process.
In solidarity,
Nigel Edwards
President, OPSEU Local 565–
OPSEU Local 565
Representing members working for the AGCO
Bargaining 2022 Update
Tentative Agreement Reached
Attention 565 Members:
We are pleased to announce that, on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, OPSEU Local 565 and AGCO reached a tentative agreement to changes to the Collective Agreement.
Below, please find the highlights of the proposed changes to the Collective Agreement. The full MOA (Memorandum of Understanding) along with the Highlights can be found on the Local 565 website https://opseulocal565.ca/
The ratification vote will occur on Monday, April 11, 2022.
Members are required to register for the meeting on Monday, April 11, 2022. Registration will open at 11:30 AM on Monday, April 11, 2022. Once you register, please ensure to keep the Zoom window open until the meeting starts.
Members are to sign into the ZOOM meeting using their first and last name. Log on to ZOOM using a computer or ZOOM app through a device to vote. Those dialing in by phone will not be able to vote.
Please join us on Monday,Apr 11, 2022, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
To join the meeting, you must register in advance using the following:
https://opseu-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclceCqrT0vHtLJkw7I7d4oia-NwxHdsvgD
A brief-summary will be given at 12:10 PM
Bargaining Highlights:
3-year deal: January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024
Wages:
§ Jan. 1, 2022 – 1%
§ Jan. 1, 2023 – 1%
§ Jan. 1, 2024 – 1% (end of 3-year Bill 124 moderation period)
§ Bill 124 Wage Re-Opener
Other monetary and non-monetary items:
a) Shift Premium Increase (5pm to 7am) – Jan 1. 2023 increase from $0.98/hr to $1.23/hr. A further increase on January 1, 2024, to $1.43/hr.
b) Additional meal allowance of $12.50 for an employee that works at least 2 hours of OT without notification prior to the end of the previously scheduled shift.
c) Paid Time off for Local President – 4 hours every 2 weeks
d) Flexibility in the use of bereavement leave (leave no longer needs to be taken consecutively)
e) Acceptable sick leave use expanded: mental health now recognized. 3 days from the employee’s sick bank may be used for an immediate family medical emergency (defined as an acute injury or illness that poses an immediate risk to a person’s life or long-term health)
f) Increase on-call premium from $1.40 to $1.95
g) Add National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to the list of Paid Holidays
h) For 2022 only – additional one time carry over of 5 vacation days.
i) Benefits Increase in Health and Wellness Account: Jan. 1, 2023 – $275 ($25 increase), Jan. 1, 2024 – $300 ($25 increase)
j) New Inspector Safety Committee to deal with health and safety issues relating to Inspectors
k) LOU to address Workload
l) Stand-alone LOA not forming part of the MOS for the Inspector position to be reviewed to ensure it is at the appropriate pay grade.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In Solidarity
Your Local 565 Bargaining Team
OPSEU Local 565
Representing members working for the AGCO
Bargaining 2022 Team
Your bargaining team has been working diligently preparing over the last couple months and are now prepared to meet with the employer to bring forward your demands to the bargaining table. The following bargaining dates have been set:
· February 22, 2022
· February 24, 2022
· March 8, 2022
· March 9, 2022
Bill 124 remains a cloud over the table. However, the bargaining team is moving strongly forward with your demands.
Your bargaining team members:
· Sandi Folkes (Eligibility Officer)- Bargaining Team Chair
· Nigel Edwards (Eligibility Officer) – Local 565 President
· Lorne Blais (Compliance Official) – Local 565 Vice-President
· Roger Yee (Lead, iGaming Compliance Assurance)
· Clint Ferguson (Compliance Official)