- What are the wage increases in this agreement?
The general wage increases in each year of the four-year agreement are three per cent, for a total of 12 per cent over the four-year term.
This is in addition to the application of over $32 million in low-wage redress. Only a portion of those funds have already been allocated to the agreement, and the parties will be jointly determining how and where the remaining monies will be spent. The goal of the parties is to address long standing inequities in wages, premiums and vacation.
- Is the wage increase retroactive? When will it be paid out?
HEU members will get retroactive wage increases back to the first pay period after April 1, 2025. This includes anyone who worked after April 1, even if they are now retired or quit.
It is up to the employer when retro pay is issued, but we know how important it is, and we will push health employers to have the pay issued as soon as possible.
There is still a considerable amount of funds still to be allocated from remaining low-wage redress. The parties will determine how to allocate those funds over the next four to six months and further wage adjustments will be announced when that process is complete.
- Do the wage increases keep up with inflation?
Inflation estimates for 2025 and 2026 remain just above 2.1 per cent which means that we anticipate that the combination of your general wage increases and the application of low-wage redress monies will exceed inflation rates for the term of the agreement.
- Are there any improvements to shift premiums?
Yes. These increases represent a significant win, putting us on the path to parity with FBA:
- Weekend shift premium: effective the first pay period after April 1, 2028, the weekend premium shall increase by $0.50 to $1.00.
- Afternoon shift premium: effective the first pay period after April 1, 2026, the afternoon shift premium shall increase by $0.20 to $0.45. Effective the first pay period after April 1, 2028, the afternoon shift premium will be increased from $0.45 to $0.75 per hour.
- In supportive housing, discrepancies in shift premiums are one of the primary monetary gaps that persist between agencies. With thousands more supportive housing, shelter and women’s transition home workers set to benefit from the shift-premium wins in this deal, we’re taking one more step towards closing that gap for good.
- Will I still receive retro pay if I am no longer working in my CBA position?
Employees who have severed employment prior to the date of ratification of this collective agreement are eligible for retro pay for hours worked since the expiry of the previous collective agreement. The employer will notify all former employees once, in writing, at their last known address, that retro pay is payable upon written application. Former employees must submit their written application to the employer within 60 days of ratification. Retro pay will be calculated using paid hours during the applicable period.
- How does ratification work?
We’ll be reaching out to members in many different ways over the next two weeks, to make sure everyone has the chance to read and understand the tentative agreement, including a telephone town hall on March 12.
The vote will be held online starting March 16 and ending March 19.
- When does the ratification vote take place?
The ratification vote will be held online starting Monday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. to Thursday, March 19 at 4:00 p.m.
- Is online voting the only way to vote?
Yes, voting will only be done online using Simply Voting and you will have a few days to cast your ballot. Your ballot cannot be transferred to anyone else.
A telephone voting option will be available for those who are unable to vote online. Details will be shared with members closer to voting dates.
- How secure is online voting?
HEU will be using Simply Voting as the online voting platform for this tentative agreement ratification vote. Simply Voting is a trusted, secure and confidential voting platform that has been frequently used by labour organizations, as well as the Labour Relations Board, to allow union members to vote securely and anonymously.
- Someone told me that if I don’t vote, it will count as a “yes”. Is this true?
That is not the case. The only votes counted are those cast by eligible members. So if you want your voice heard, make sure you vote.
The information contained herein are for the use of HEU members only. The interpretation of the Community Health tentative agreement is provided on a without prejudice and precedent basis to any position that HEU/CBA may take in any arbitration process or other forum. Copyright 2026.