An arbitration board awarded 3.5 per cent wage increases in each year of a two-year collective agreement for 89 unionized workers at Deerview Crossing Retirement Residence in Hamilton, Ont., according to a decision released Sept. 8.
The award also includes special wage adjustments for lower-paid classifications, new benefit plans and improved vacation entitlements for the facility operated by CSH Rymal Inc. and owned by Chartwell.
Wage increases and special adjustments
The arbitration board, led by chair Scott Thompson, granted general wage increases of 3.5 per cent effective July 2, 2024, and July 2, 2025, according to the decision. The increases apply to all classifications including dietary workers, activity aides, health care assistants, housekeeping staff, cooks and registered practical nurses.
Workers in dietary, activity aide, health care assistant, housekeeping and concierge positions will receive an additional one per cent special wage adjustment effective July 2, 2025, the award states. The board said this adjustment helps close wage gaps with comparable facilities.
The new wage grid shows starting rates ranging from $18.26 per hour for housekeeping and concierge workers to $28.66 per hour for registered practical nurses by July 2025, according to the decision.
New benefits and premiums
The employer must introduce a dental plan within 60 days, covering 80 per cent of basic services with a $1,500 annual cap, the award states. The company will pay 50 per cent of premiums while employees pay the remainder through payroll deductions.
A voluntary registered retirement savings plan will also launch within 60 days, with the employer matching employee contributions up to one per cent for workers with at least one year of service, according to the decision.
Health care assistants performing unlicensed care provider duties will receive a 75-cent hourly premium when assigned by the employer, the award states.
Vacation improvements
Employees with 15 or more years of service will receive five weeks of vacation at 10 per cent pay, up from previous entitlements, according to the decision. Workers with three or more weeks of vacation can carry over a maximum of one week to the following year.
Bargaining process and comparisons
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175 served notice to bargain on July 9, 2024, but negotiations and conciliation efforts failed to reach agreement, the decision states. A no-board report was issued March 25, 2025, leading to the arbitration process.
The union had sought more extensive wage increases including five per cent general increases and larger special adjustments, according to the award. The employer opposed special increases beyond addressing minimum wage concerns.
The arbitration board considered wage data from comparable facilities across Ontario and noted that some classifications at Deerview Crossing lagged behind regional and provincial averages, the decision states.
The collective agreement covers approximately 89 full-time, part-time and casual employees at the 119-suite facility, which offers independent and assisted living for up to 211 residents, according to the award.
For more information, see United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 175 v CSH Rymal Inc. o/a Deerview Crossing Retirement Residence, 2025 CanLII 90062 (ON LA).
