Message to OPEIU Local 8 members at YouthCare sent March 31, 2026 –
After months of struggle, we’re excited to share that we’ve secured a tentative agreement (TA) with management. We fought hard!
The bargaining team recommends a ‘YES’ vote. We’re proud of the agreement we reached and believe it reflects our worth and commitment to the work.
The final steps toward ratifying our new union contract? Members review the TA and then they VOTE!
The entire TA will be available when our vote opens on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 9 am. Our vote will close on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5 pm. The voting link will be sent via email to members in good standing when the voting period begins.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TA INCLUDE:
· Three percent (3%) wage increase, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026
· Increased protections for immigrants, transitioning/queer employees, and against Artificial Intelligence
· Stronger seniority language for layoffs, paid time off, shift changes, and promotions
· Stronger involvement of our Union in budget monitoring and disciplinary investigations
· Improved programmatic training/orientation
· Increased meal pay when we stay over at work
WHAT’S NEXT?
Our team is working on finalizing the TA document for our vote. We will be hosting information sessions via Zoom to discuss the changes prior to the vote opening.
Please attend one of the following sessions:
· Tuesday, April 7, at 8 am
· Wednesday, April 8, at 12 pm
· Thursday, April 9, at 5 pm
Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7243691946
Don’t forget: the voting window will begin on April 10th at 9 am and it will close on April 14th at 5 pm.
CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you to everyone who contributed to negotiations by showing solidarity. A special thank you to our bargaining team members Tremell Collins, Mandy Ginsberg and Eric Rabb, and to those bargaining team members who left before we concluded: Aaron Shay, Oli Aura, Liz Walters, Valerie Maganya, Melissa Porter, and Eric Spurling.