August 14, 2026
RE: Collective Bargaining Update
Bargaining Teams for Community Living Thunder Bay and OPSEU Local 740 spent a lengthy day yesterday in mediation, assisted by a Ministry of Labour-appointed mediator. While significant progress was made in a number of important areas, we are disappointed that the session ultimately did not result in the settlement of the collective agreement and the end of the lengthy strike.
Despite this setback, our focus remains on reaching a fair and sustainable collective agreement, and we remain committed to the bargaining process. Given the significant impact this strike has had on employees, the people we support, their families, and our community, we believe it is important to share key details of our current proposal so employees are aware of what has been offered during negotiations.
Wage Proposal
A key component of our proposal is a 12% wage increase over the term of the collective agreement. Specifically, the offer includes:
- April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026: 2.0%
- April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027: 2.0%
- April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028: 4.0%
- April 1, 2028 to March 31, 2029: 4.0%
In addition to the general wage increases outlined above, our proposal includes a significant investment in casual employees. Under the offer, effective April 1, 2027, casual employees would receive a 22.5% wage increase to align their rate of pay with the starting rate for permanent part-time employees.
This change represents an important step toward the principle of equal pay for equal work, recognizing the valuable contributions casual employees make across our organization. It also strengthens our ability to attract and retain employees in a competitive labour market, helping us maintain a stable workforce and continue delivering the high-quality supports and services that people in our community rely on.
Additional Improvements
In addition to the wage proposals currently before the parties, substantial progress has been made during bargaining on a number of issues important to employees. The parties have reached agreement on improvements in areas including:
- Bereavement leave
- Mileage reimbursement
- Vacation entitlements
- Increases to insured benefits
- Sick leave accrual
- Various language improvements throughout the collective agreement
These improvements reflect the constructive work completed at the bargaining table to date and would provide meaningful enhancements for employees.
Conclusion
While mediation did not result in a settlement, we remain committed to working with OPSEU Local 740 to achieve a negotiated agreement. Our priority continues to be reaching a fair outcome that recognizes employees’ contributions, supports recruitment and retention, and ensures the long-term sustainability of the high-quality services our community depends on.
For questions or concerns, contact our Family Support Line at (807) 622-1099 or email info@cltb.ca.
