STEGH employees reach first collective agreement

Office and clerical workers at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) reached their first collective agreement with the employer.

The employees — represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 159 — received the contract through an interest arbitration award.

The deal includes wage increases of 1.4 per cent, 0.7 per cent and 0.7 per cent over its three year term.

According to the union, the agreement also includes improvements to job security and a standardized wage grid with regular service progression.

More than 500 workers at STEGH will be affected by the collective agreement.

“It’s never easy for workers to seek out representation by a union,” said OPSEU president Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

“It’s always encouraging when newly organized workers arrive at a first collective agreement that meets their needs and expectations.”