Hydro One Union Agreement: What it Means for Employees and Customers

Hydro One, the biggest electricity transmission and distribution company in Ontario, Canada, recently reached a new union agreement with the Society of Energy Professionals (SEP) after months of negotiations.

The agreement covers around 2,500 employees, including engineers, planners, supervisors, and office staff, who are represented by the SEP. The previous collective agreement expired on March 31, 2021, and the new agreement will be in effect until March 31, 2024.

Here are some key highlights of the new Hydro One union agreement:

Wage Increases: The agreement includes a wage increase of 1.75% in the first year, followed by 1.5% in the second year and 1.5% in the third year.

Benefits: There are some changes to benefits under the new agreement, such as a new prescription drug coverage model and a reduction in the number of paid sick days from 18 to 12. However, the agreement provides employees with more flexibility in how they can use their sick days.

Pension: The agreement maintains the current defined benefit pension plan for employees.

Working Conditions: The agreement includes provisions to improve working conditions and job security for employees. For instance, there are new measures to address workload issues and a commitment to provide opportunities for career development and training.

What Does the Hydro One Union Agreement Mean for Customers?

The new Hydro One union agreement is seen as a positive development for customers as it provides stability and ensures that the company can continue to provide reliable electricity services. The agreement also includes provisions that aim to improve customer service, such as the creation of a joint union-management committee to address customer service issues.

In addition, the agreement includes a commitment to invest in the recruitment and training of new employees, which will help Hydro One to maintain and improve the quality of its services over the long term.

Overall, the new Hydro One union agreement is a fair and balanced deal that provides important benefits for both employees and customers. It demonstrates the company`s commitment to its workforce and to providing reliable electricity services for the people of Ontario.