Pay bumps expected for 18,000 health-care support workers after Manitoba union reaches tentative new deal

The union for 18,000 health-care support workers in Manitobahas reached a new tentative agreement with their employers after more than five years without a deal.

The proposed contract, which still needs to be ratified by members of theCanadian Union of Public Employees,will span seven years, ending in 2024,CUPE said in a bargaining update to members on Tuesday.

The general wage increases will total 9.6 per cent before compounding, said CUPE.

The tentative agreement was reached as a result of mediation, after21 months of bargaining.

In its update, the union thanked "all CUPE members for their patience, support and encouragement over the past five years, and for giving CUPE the strike mandate needed to keep the pressure on government,"referring to a strike votethat overwhelmingly passed with 97 per cent support a year ago.

That support pushed employers toward "a deal that is acceptable, and which lays a stronger foundation for the next round of bargaining," CUPE's statement said.

The agreement includeshealth-care support employees across Shared Health, the WinnipegRegional Health Authority, Northern Healthand Southern Health.

Earlier this month, more than 6,000 health-care support staffacross the Interlake-Eastern andPrairie Mountain health regions ratified their new seven-year agreement, whichincludes pay increases, paid rest periods, and evening and night shift premiums.

The tentative contract for CUPE members also includes the creation of a $500 signing bonus for every member. It also stipulates thatovertime hours will be paid at double-time and sets higher premiums for evening and night shifts.

As well, the tentative agreementcommits $24 million toward market adjustmentsfor workers in certain positions where pay has fallen behind their peers elsewhere in Manitoba.

CUPE is recommending its members approve the new agreement. Voting will occur over the next couple of weeks.

The tentative agreement lists wage increases of 1.25 per cent for 2017 and 2018,as well as 1.4 per cent in 2019. Wages will go up by 0.5 per cent and 1.2 per cent for the next two years, followed by two per cent in both 2022 and 2023, the final two years of the deal.

The annual salary increases are identical to the arrangement that nursessigned last year.

CUPELocal 204 president Debbie Boissonneaultsaid it was vital for health-care support workers, whomshe has described as "the pillars of health care," to be treated in a similar fashion.

"It's leave no membership behind, leave no health-care worker behind," she said. "If one group is getting it, what's good for one should be good for all."

The health-care support workers will be entitled to retroactive wages dating back to April of2017. They have not seen an increase in their pay in that time.

The affected employees includeclerical, information, dietary, housekeeping, trades and maintenance positions, as well ashealth-care aides and workers in physiotherapy and rehab assistance.