No details released on PSW tentative agreement

Following a two-week strike, personal support workers (PSWs) with Red Cross Care Partners signed a tentative agreement their union has described as “an improvement” over the previous contract.

“I was blown away by the passion and dedication of these women and men who stood up for their rights after rejecting a contract that didn't do them or their services justice,” said Sharleen Stewart, president of SEIU Healthcare, which represents 4,500 PSWs across Ontario.

In Sudbury, more than 90 PSWs hit the picket lines Dec. 11 to demand better wages. With their previous contract, PSWs who worked for Red Cross Care Partners started at $14.17 an hour.

After 6,000 hours of work experience they reached $15.02 an hour, the highest wage within the company.

SEIU Healthcare did not share details regarding the tentative agreement.