Community Living workers in Dryden and Sioux Lookout have new deal
A strike has been averted at Community Living in Dryden and Sioux Lookout.
Unifor says 125 members have voted in favour of a new contract.
90 members of the Dryden local voted 92.5 percent of the new collective agreement and 35 members in Sioux Lookout voted 100 percent in favour.
The votes were held on March 9th and 10th.
Key highlights include:
-Total wage increase of $2.10 per hour over the term
- $0.60/hour in Year 1
- $0.70/hour in Year 2
- $0.80/hour in Year 3
- -Signing bonus: $1,500 full-time / $750 part-time / $350 casual
- -Annual health spending account increased to $600 for full-time and $450 for part-time
- -Implementation of a defined benefit CAAT pension plan in 2026
- -$5/hour working-alone premium
- -Mileage increased 20%, from 50 to 60 cents/km
- -Meal allowance increased 21%, from $70 to $85 per day
- -Additional bereavement leave for nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles, as well as pallbearing and eulogy leave
- -$75 annual vehicle insurance reimbursement
- -Vision care increased to $400 for full-time and $200 for part-time employees
- -Eye exam coverage increased to $100
- -Part-time sick leave increased by eight hours to 44 hours annually
- -Double-time pay for employees working extended overtime shifts
Unifor Local 324 President Katrina Peterson said the strong membership support clearly helped move negotiations forward after talks stalled late last year.
“Recent 100 per cent strike votes late last month helped overcome the bargaining impasse we faced in November and allowed us to secure a number of important language and monetary gains in both agreements”, says Peterson.
“These solid three-year contracts will provide well-deserved security for our Unifor members as they focus on providing critical support for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
The contract is retroactive from September 1st, 2025, and runs until August 31st, 2028.
(Photo supplied by Unifor-Left to right: Unifor Northern Area Director Stephen Boon, Bargaining Committee Members Laura Santos, Cassie Lundy, Shawnda Bell, Mercy Hill, Danielle Morash, Mary Ingram and Unifor Local 324 President Katrina Peterson)
