The union representing full-time support workers at Ontario’s 24 public colleges has ratified a three-year collective agreement that includes a new mental-health benefit, coverage for medical cannabis and an enhanced bereavement leave.
The new mental-health benefit will be added in September 2023, providing plan members with up to $1,750 per year for mental-health services, including family and marriage therapists.
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The agreement is also introducing up to $4,000 in annual coverage for medical cannabis and will cover dental implants and appliances at 50 per cent to a maximum of $2,500 per year.
The agreement also expanded bereavement leave to include workers mourning a niece or nephew. Roughly 80 per cent of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union’s college support members voted in favour of the contract.
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