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Fort Frances, Ontario - Over 55 members of Unifor Local 324-19 voted 96% in favour of a new three-year contract with Weechi-it-te-win Family Services on April 3. Weechi-it-te-win Family Services is an Indigenous-based child welfare agency located near Fort Frances that provides child care, alternative care, family preservation, psychological services, capacity building, family counselling, outpatient treatment for families, developmental support services, cultural support and youth in transition programs for members of nine Partner First Nations across the Rainy River District.
Stephen Boon, Unifor Northern Area Director, said, "as indicated by the strong approval in ratification voting, Unifor members at Weechi-it-te-win Family Services were very pleased with the key monetary gains and improved language in this new contract. Unifor has been successful at achieving wage increases and other improvements at the upper end of the provincial range in both health care and social services sectors across Northwestern Ontario over the last year. We are pleased to see that our members at Weechi-it-te-win Family Services have continued that trend and also secured a much anticipated path toward a new defined benefit pension plan."
Katrina Peterson, Unifor Local 324 President added, "Unifor members at Weechi-it-te-win provide critical support for some of the most vulnerable people across the Rainy River District and we are thrilled to see these valuable workers secure a long-term contract with solid wage increases and a number of key improvements. This agency has been performing a vital, yet sometimes under-appreciated role in protecting vulnerable Indigenous community members across the region and this new deal provides much needed stability for both Unifor members and the Weechi-it-te-win Family Services as they continue that important, life-changing work."
The new deal runs from September 1, 2022 until August 31, 2025 and includes:
- 3% general wage increases on September 1st, 2022, 2023 and 2024;
- new $300 annual health spending account;
- increased on-call pay;
- new 7th week of vacation after 25 years of service;
- improved sick pay provisions;
- 8.3% increase in employer pension contributions and transition to a defined benefit pension plan;
- $125 increase in vision care to $500;
- increased major dental up to $3,000 annually and orthodontic coverage from $3,000 to $5,000;
- improved vacation and contract language.
