OPSEU, Ontario support agency sign pay equity deal

Payments to be made by end of 2018: Union

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) signed a settlement with Community Living Newmarket/Aurora, said the union.

Three hundred and thirty-nine past and present support workers at the agency will receive pay equity adjustments retroactive to 2010, totaling around $1,390,000. All adjustments will be paid out by Jan. 31, 2018, according to OPSEU.

"The negotiations went fairly smoothly," said Kelly Holmes, OPSEU Local 386 president. "The employer was clear about wanting to fulfill its obligation to fully achieve pay equity, and we were able to agree on a plan within just four meetings."

The Pay Equity Act — which became law in 1988 — requires Ontario employers to identify instances of gender-based wage discrimination and make payments to eliminate it. However, many employers continue to evade their legal obligations, and OPSEU has been working to ensure the law is enforced, said the union.

OPSEU currently represents 229 members working at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora who provide support for individuals living with disabilities.

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