Canadian Blood Services’ Sudbury Plasma Centre and the Union have finalized a renewed collective agreement through the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act (“HLDAA”). This decision comes amid the healthcare organization’s rapid expansion of plasma-only collection centres throughout Ontario.
Canadian Blood Services (CBS), responsible for blood, plasma, transfusion, and stem cell registry services in Canada (excluding Quebec), has seen growth in its plasma collection efforts. The Sudbury Plasma Centre, established in 2020, marked CBS’s inaugural plasma-only collection site in Ontario. Since its inception, the organization has added centres in Ottawa and Brampton. By 2024, CBS plans to have seven Plasma Centres operating in the province.
The Union, which has represented certain CBS employees in Sudbury since 2012, currently oversees approximately 12 employees, consisting of 4 full-time and 8 part-time Plasma Associates or Plasma Associate/Process Leads, at the Sudbury Centre. This renewed collective agreement follows the one established from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2022.
Three other bargaining agents, including the Ontario Nurses’ Union (ONA), the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), represent thirteen bargaining units at CBS’s Ontario Centres. Notably, the current bargaining unit is the Union’s sole representation.
Despite efforts to resolve outstanding issues after meetings in May 2022 and a conciliation on September 6, 2022, the parties underwent their first interest arbitration. Both parties focused on the guiding principles of interest arbitration, including the principles of replication and comparability.
The Arbitration Board, taking into account submissions from both parties, awarded changes on specific issues while dismissing others. The renewal collective agreement, effective from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2024, integrates the terms of the previous agreement with the following modifications:
- A 3.5% ATB wage increase as of April 1, 2022.
- From April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, a general wage increase in line with that of the OPSEU Support Agreement.
- A premium of $1.00 per hour for On the Job Trainers.
- Overtime allocation based on descending order of seniority.
- An amendment allowing a maximum of ten working days to be carried forward into the next vacation year.
The Board remains actively involved in the matter under section 9(2) of the HLDAA.
For more information, see Canadian Blood Services (Sudbury Plasma Centre) v United Steelworkers, Local 1-2010, 2023 CanLII 92373 (ON LA)
