Nurses ratify agreement with Chatham-Kent VON

Lengthy negotiations culminate in deal with lump-sump payments: CLAC

Nurses ratify agreement with Chatham-Kent VON
This ratification brings the expired contract back up to date, with only months to spare before the parties head back to the bargaining table in early 2020, said CLAC. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Registered practical nurses with the Chatham-Kent Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) in Chatham, Ont., voted 89 per cent in favour of a new four-year collective agreement following three years of negotiations with their employer.

The nurses, who are members of CLAC. Local 303, provide home care throughout the region. Their previous contract had expired three years ago and the new contract provides them with lump sum payments to compensate for the last three years, with a modest wage increase for the fourth year, said the union.

This ratification brings the expired contract back up to date, with only months to spare before the parties head back to the bargaining table in early 2020, said CLAC.

“We knew, based on the pattern of settlements across Ontario, that we got as much as we could for our members during this protracted round of bargaining,” said Ryan Griffioen, CLAC representative. “Much more needs to be done to improve wages for these homecare workers. We look forward to getting back to the table early next year to fight for a wage rate that reflects the hard work they do and the skill set required to provide quality home care.”

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