15 staff members at Dryden’s Hoshizaki House have a new three-year contract after members voted 100 per cent in favour of the new deal Monday night.
The Hoshizaki House Crisis Centre is a 24/7 Dryden-based shelter which provides a safe and supportive home environment for women and children escaping domestic violence.
“Unifor Local 324 members at Hoshizaki House were very pleased with the monetary gains and language improvements achieved in this new contract,” said Unifor’s Northern Area Director, Stephen Boon.
“We commend the work of the bargaining committee and we are pleased that our members can now focus on providing critical services to vulnerable women and children in the community,” he added.
Unifor says the new contract runs retroactively from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025 and includes:
– Wage increases of 3 per cent in year 1, 2.8 per cent in years 2 and 3,
– 1 additional holiday for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation,
– Increased employer Drug and Dental reimbursement from 80 to 90 per cent,
– $175 increase in vision care coverage,
– Up to 25 per cent increase in employer pension plan contributions,
– Increased mileage and meal allowances
Unifor Local 324 President, Katrina Peterson, says the new deal will afford staff a stronger sense of long-term stability in Dryden.
“We have worked closely with Hoshizaki House in numerous fundraising campaigns and we are pleased that this new agreement will now provide them with long-term stability, but most importantly it achieves a number of important wage, pension and benefit enhancements for our Unifor Local 324 members in Dryden,” said Peterson.
The Hoshizaki House Crisis Centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their crisis telephone line and emergency shelter for abused women and children. The shelter offers counselling, support, programming and referrals.
Their Crisis Line can be reached at 807-223-3226 or 1-800-465-7221.
