Quinte Health v. Unifor Local 8300

Unifor Local 8300 and Quinte Health couldn’t bridge their gaps at the bargaining table, sending their renewal agreement to interest arbitration. Here’s what the board awarded for some 870 service employees across four hospital sites.

Background

Quinte Health operates four hospitals: Belleville General Hospital, North Hastings Hospital in Bancroft, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital in Picton, and Trenton Memorial Hospital. The hospital employs approximately 2,519 employees across five bargaining units. Unifor Local 8300 represents the service employees, the largest bargaining unit with approximately 870 members, including Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), Electricians, Facility Maintenance Representatives, Facility Service Representatives (FSRs), Hospitality Service Representatives (HSRs), Food Service Workers, Supply/Receiving Attendants, Health Care Aids (HCAs), Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians, Personal Support Workers, and Physiotherapy Assistants.

The previous collective agreement expired on October 10, 2023. The parties were unable to reach agreement on renewal terms and the matter proceeded to interest arbitration.

Key Award Terms

The arbitrator awarded the following terms for the period October 11, 2023 through October 10, 2025:

Wages:

• General wage increase of 3% effective October 11, 2023 and October 11, 2024
• Special wage adjustment of $0.50 per hour for OTA/PTA classifications on October 11, 2023 and October 11, 2024 prior to the application of the 3% general wage increase
• Special wage adjustment of $0.25 per hour for HSR/FSR classifications on October 11, 2024 prior to the application of the 3% general wage increase

Insured Benefits:

• Vision care coverage increased to a maximum of $450.00 every 24 months
• Hearing aid allowance frequency improved from every 60 months to every 48 months, with maximum coverage increased to $1,000
• Chiropractor coverage increased from $375 to $450 annually
• Physiotherapist coverage increased from $375 to $450 annually
• Massage therapist coverage increased from $375 to $450 annually
• Psychologist coverage increased from $500 to $800 annually
• Dental coverage expanded to include implants along with complete and partial dentures, with maximum coverage increased from $1,500 to $2,000
• Orthodontics coverage increased from $1,500 to $2,000 maximum

Premiums and Allowances:

• Evening shift premium increased from $2.20 to $2.25 per hour for hours worked between 1500 and 2400 hours
• Night shift premium increased from $2.30 to $2.98 per hour for hours worked between 2400 and 0700 hours
• Standby pay increased from $3.50 to $4.50 per hour
• Call back premium doubled from 1.5 times to 2 times the regular rate
• Weekend premium increased from $2.70 to $3.14 per hour
• New Charge Nurse Premium: $1.20 per hour for nurses assigned overall responsibility for patient care on a unit, ward, or area
• Safety footwear allowance increased from $100 to $200 per year for employees required to wear safety footwear during their duties, provided they have completed their probation in the area where safety footwear is required or have been employed in that area for six months

Other Items:

• Union Steward provision: Unit chairs paid up to 7.5 hours/month for union business; Belleville Unit Chair receives additional 45 hours per year
• Meal Allowance increased from $6.00 to $9.00
• Transportation Allowance increased to $0.55 from $0.40
• Health Spending Account of $100 per year introduced
• Mentorship premium increased from $0.60 to $2.00 per hour
• Pandemic Pay: One-time payment to OTAs and PTAs employed on August 13, 2020 who did not already receive pandemic pay ($1,750 for full-time, $1,250 for part-time, $750 for casual employees)

Citation: Nyman (Chair) · 2026 CanLII 681