As many of you are aware, on November 27, 2017 the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act came into law.  This Act introduces substantial changes to both the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act.  While the Act is now law, not all of the sections take effect right away and the Ministry has not yet issued the related regulations.  Some of the changes apply on January 1, 2018, like the increase in minimum wage to $14.00 per hour, but many other changes do not take effect until 2019 or 2020.  Some changes in the Act will not apply to 503 members because our collective agreement language is already better than the new minimum standards.

Those employees currently making less than $14.00 per hour (other than those to whom student minimum wage applies) should see an immediate increase to their hourly rate effective the first full pay period of 2018. The Union will be meeting with the Employer in the New Year to discuss the placement of those affected employees into the current pay bands of the applicable collective agreements.

In the first weeks of the New Year, the Union will be meeting with employers to discuss all other incoming changes and when and how they might impact our existing collective agreements.  We will continue to keep you all informed as these discussions occur.  Stay tuned to this space for further updates.