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NEWS Strike at Central West Specialized Developmental Services averted "They are happy to have a collective agreement going forward. I t isn't everything they'd hoped for certainly, but it is a beginning, something that lets them move forward . " - CWSDS executive director Jam es Duncan 2-year collective agreement ratified DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com Management at Central West Specialized Develop­ mental Services (CWSDS), which operates a commu- nity/group home at 53 Bond St., has reached a two-year collective agree­ ment with its nursing staff thereby averting a possible strike. Representatives of the Ontario Nursing Associa­ tion (ONA) said the five full-time and two casual registered nurses, who care for people with devel­ opmental disabilities, challenging behaviours and mental health issues at CWSDS, had been with­ out a contract since March 30, 2017. The ONA represented the CWSDS employees in their negotiations. Bargaining com- menced in November for one day and continued with a second day of bar­ gaining in February and a third in April. An offer was made to the union April 6 and rat­ ified by the members April 7. While neither side would go into details about the agreement a press re­ lease issued by the ONA on April 3 makes it clear one of the sticking points was a wage increase. "At conciliation on Feb. 21, 2018 this employer re­ fused to offer wage in­ creases that are in line with what they have nego­ tiated with other groups," the release reads. "The RNs in this Bar­ gaining Unit are paid far less than RNs working in Ontario hospitals- a full $4.23 per hour less for an RN at the end of the wage grid." The press release noted a legal strike deadline was set for April 9 if the parties failed to reach an agree- ment. On Monday, April 9 ONA president Vicki Mc­ Kenna said the agreement was well received by the CWSDS nursing staff. "They are happy to have a collective agreement go­ ing forward. It isn't every­ thing they'd hoped for cer­ tainly, but it is a beginning, something that lets them move forward," she said. "They work in a field that many people don't know a lot about, but these are services that are very much needed in the area. They are dedicated to the people that they care for so they certainly did not want to withdraw service, but at the same time they wanted to be treated fairly and rea­ sonably." CWSDS executive di­ rector James Duncan also weighed in on the agree­ ment. "We're very pleased we were able to ratify a two- year renewal collective agreement with the union representing our nurses," he said. "Both bargaining teams worked hard to reach an agreement. We value the work our nurses do and the collective agreement respects that. It also re­ spects the financial chal­ lenges our organization has." The ONA represents 65,000 registered nurses and health-care profes­ sionals, as well as 16,000 student affiliates. you grow * w e m ow NOW BOOKiNG PROFESSiONALWEEKLY LAWN MAiNTENANCE PROGRAMS The Oakville Beaver Readers Choice Diamond AwardWinner 5 consecutive years. Book Your Spring Clean Up Today!!! Ca||TodayForaFreeQuote Leaf & Debris Removal, G arden W eed ing & Edging , (905)467-1507 Soil & M u lch Ins ta lla tion , and M uch M ore! www lawnbros ca • Sod Installation • Interlock* Garden Design & Build • Irrigation Systems info@lawnbros.ca D i s a b l e d B e n e f i t s ?D e n ie d In ju red ? I GAN HELP. My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: - Disability Claims* *Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP - Car Accidents - Slip and Falls - Wrongful Dismissal YOU DON'T PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY. H r t S a m S p a d a f o r a _____ _ . . . H ____ _ , „„ HAPPY 150™HAPPY 15 Qth INJURY AND EMPLOYMENT LAW - caNADA o f f ic e s in OAKVIT T E and TORo NTO For a free consultation call: O akville: 9Q5.842.2Q22 Toronto : 41 6.644.3999 em ail: sspadafora@slspc.ca I nstallation S A L E PLUS WE PAY THE TAX! NOW OFFERING FREE WHOLE HOME DESIGN SERVICE/ & CONSULTATIONS F u rn itu re , L ig h tin g , P a in t, D r a p e r ie s etc.* Concept Lighting & Furniture Group *See store for details Oakville Store Mississauga Store Burlington Store 243 Speers Rd. Oakville, ON L6K 2E8 5980 McLaughlin Rd. Unit 3 1515 North Service Road Mississauga, ON L5R 3X9 Burlington, ON L7P 0A2 S h op online w w w .conceptlighting .ca CO | O akville B eaver | T h u rsd ay, A pril 1 9 ,2 0 1 8 in sid eh alto n .co m mailto:dlea@metroland.com mailto:info@lawnbros.ca mailto:sspadafora@slspc.ca http://www.conceptlighting.ca