2022-2028 Ombudsman Collective Agreement

Highlights of the Collective Agreement

Term

• A six-year term, from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2028

Compensation increases and an accelerated salary schedule 

The Ombudsman Collective Agreement includes across-the-board increases and an accelerated salary structure. 

Across-the-board increases

The new agreement provides salary increases —including retroactive increases — as part of the transition to a new salary structure. These are:

• 3.5% effective April 1, 2022*
• 3.6% effective April 1, 2023*
• 3.5% effective April 1, 2024*
• 3.25%  effective April 1, 2025
• 2.75% effective April 1, 2028
• 2.75% effective April 1, 2027

*Across-the-board increases for 2022 to 2024 will apply to both current and former employees.

Accelerated salary structure

Under the previous salary system, it could have taken from nine to 14 years to move from the bottom of the salary range to the top of a salary range through an annual merit pay increase of three per cent per year.

Under the new step system implemented as part of the 2022-2028 agreement, employees will move from the bottom of the salary range to the top of the salary range in four years through a step system. 

This step system, which is replacing the merit system, provides for an increase of approximately five to six per cent per year. A new hire starting at the bottom of a range will reach the top in four years.  

More information about how employees’ salaries will be mapped onto the step system in the coming weeks can be found in Appendix A here. Job classification can be found in the salary schedule in the Schedule A of the Memorandum of Settlement.

Significant improvements to your health benefits

The Ombudsman Collective Agreement includes significant improvements to health benefit coverage, including:

• Vision

  • Coverage to $500 every 24 months

• Paramedical

  • Coverage to $75 of per visit for paramedical services, such as massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic etc. with an annual maximum of $1500 per year per service

• Mental health

  • Coverage to $75 per half hour for mental health services provided by a psychologist, psychotherapist, or social worker, with an annual maximum amount is increased to $1500
  • Improved access with the addition of psychotherapist as an eligible service

Flexible work protections maintained

Protections surrounding Alternative Working Arrangements continue to apply under the new agreement.

Employees continue to have the right to request an individual alternative work arrangement, which can include remote work or telecommuting, a compressed work week, flexible hours, and/or job sharing.

For more information or assistance drafting your request, contact an AMAPCEO Workplace Representative.

Under the new Collective Agreement, if the Employer plans to change its return to the office plan, it will consult with AMAPCEO. The Employer is also required to notify AMAPCEO at least 90 days before the change is implemented.

French remains the language of work for French Language Services employees

Under the new unified Ombudsman Collective Agreement, the language of work for employees previously in the French Language Services unit continues to be French.

Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Ombudsman Collective Agreement continues to provide protections against discrimination and harassment and an obligation from the Employer to provide a non-discriminatory and respectful workplace.

Additionally, the Employer has agreed to consult with AMAPCEO on the establishment of any equity, diversity and inclusion (including anti-racism) systems, policies or practices.

Increased coverage for professional fees and meal and kilometric allowances

Under the new Collective Agreement, the Employer will pay:

• professional association membership fees for employees who are members of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or
• non-practicing lawyer fees for employees who are members of the Law Society of Ontario and hold the position of Investigator or Early Resolution Officer.

Additionally, for employees travelling for work, kilometric rates have been increased to $0.563 per kilometer and meal allowances have been increased to the following:

• Breakfast: $23.60
• Lunch: $23.90
• Dinner: Dinner $58.60