An interest arbitration board has awarded registered nurses at Maple View Lodge in Athens, Ont., wage increases totaling 6.5 percent over two years, along with new paid isolation leave and enhanced mental health benefits.
The award, issued November 19, 2025, renews the collective agreement between the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and the Ontario Nurses’ Association for the term April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025.
The arbitration board was constituted under the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act after the previous collective agreement expired March 31, 2023. The hearing took place November 12, 2025.
Wage increases and compensation
The board awarded wage increases of 3.5 percent effective April 1, 2023, and three percent effective April 1, 2024. Under the new salary schedule, registered nurses’ wages range from $37.93 at the start rate to $54.37 at the eight-year step, effective April 1, 2023. Those rates increase to a range of $39.07 to $56.00 effective April 1, 2024.
The board also increased shift premium to $2.65 and weekend premium to $2.80, both effective the date of the award.
Paid isolation leave
The award adds a new provision entitling employees to paid isolation leave when absent due to a communicable disease and required to quarantine or isolate. The provision covers situations where isolation is required by the employer’s policy, operation of law, or direction of public health officials.
Employees shall be entitled to salary continuation for the duration of the quarantine under the new provision.
Enhanced benefits
The board increased vision care coverage to $450 effective the date of the award.
A new mental health benefit provides coverage for services by a psychologist, registered psychotherapist, or social worker up to $3,000 per year, effective the date of the award.
Extended tours agreement
The award includes a new letter of understanding establishing 12-hour extended tours as the regular work schedule for registered nurses. The agreement notes that nurses have been working extended tours and hybrid schedules since 2021.
For more information, see United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (Maple View Lodge) v Ontario Nurses’ Association, 2025 CanLII 119229 (ON LA).
