Bill 29 Information Page
- DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING CLAIM FORMS IS NOW PASSED.
- PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
- This page contains important information for potential Bill 29 claimants from the facilities subsector.
- The deadline for submitting claim forms was June 30, 2008. Please watch this site for further information about the processing of claim forms.
Individual health care workers were affected by Bill 29 in many different ways. In order to create a process for potential claimants that is as fair, objective and transparent as possible, health unions were pleased to secure the services of one of B.C.’s most respected mediator/arbitrators, Vince Ready.
Mr. Ready handed down a decision on March 31 that sets out categories of impact, and criteria under which potential claimants may qualify for redress. He also established several key questions for the Claim Form that will be used to determine whether or not an individual will qualify for redress, and the amount for which they will qualify.
On May 2, HEU mailed a claims package to thousands of potential Bill 29 claimants - both current and former HEU members. An initial deadline for the submission of claims was June 15, and this deadline was later extended to June 30.
If you have questions you can call the union at a toll-free number: 1-800-909-4994. You can also send a message by email to bill29compensation@heu.org - please briefly describe your question and include your name and phone number.
A joint union-employer committee, assisted by Vince Ready, will use the information collected in claims forms to determine whether or not a potential claimant is eligible for a payment from the fund, and the amount of money individuals who qualify for redress will receive.
Given the high number of applications we anticipate receiving, and the time it will take to review each claim, the process will take some time. However, final decisions and cheque distribution must occur before the end of the year.
Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Additional background information about Bill 29:
- Vince Ready award resolves issue of decertified locals accessing lump-sum compensation under Bill 29 Settlement Agreement (June 13, 2008)
- Vince Ready award establishing categories with criteria, under which facilities health care workers impacted by Bill 29 may qualify for redress (April 2008)
- Full text of the proposed settlement agreement (January 2008)
- Bill 29 Settlement Agreement Report for facilities subsector members.
- Fact sheets on the FBA Bill 29 Settlement Agreement that cover Expanded options; consultation on contracting out; Compensation; and information for Private-sector members (please note some of the files may take a few moments to download)
- Community Bargaining Association Bill 29 Settlement Agreement
- Community Health Bill 29 Settlement Agreement Report
- Supreme Court of Canada decision (June 2007)
- Excerpts from Judy Darcy’s opening statement to government (September 6, 2007)
- Bill 29 backgrounder (June 2007)
Background on Settlement Agreement
On January 28, 2008, the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) announced a tentative settlement agreement on the implementation of last year’s Supreme Court decision that struck down key sections of Bill 29.
The announcement came exactly six years after the B.C. government imposed the 2002 contract-breaking legislation that led to unparalleled privatization in the province’s health care sector.
After 14 weeks of talks, the FBA, the B.C. government, and the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) reached an agreement that includes:
- expanded rights and protections for current HEU members in future contract negotiations and in cases of proposed privatization
- $70 million in financial compensation and training for current and past HEU members who were impacted by Bill 29-related layoffs
- $5 million in training for members who may be impacted by contracting out, done under the current 700 FTE cap
As part of that decision, Canada’s highest Court also ruled for the first time that workers have a constitutionally-protected right to free collective bargaining.
News and Updates on Bill 29:
Members of decertified locals not entitled to redress under Bill 29 Settlement Agreement, rules arbitrator
June 19, 2008 (Newsletter)
The human face of Bill 29
April 16, 2008 (Newsletter)
Legislation restores health care workers' collective bargaining rights
April 14, 2008 (News Release)
Today, the BC Liberals tabled a bill to implement last year’s historic Supreme Court of Canada ruling that struck down key provisions of Bill 29
Ready sets down criteria for Bill 29 settlement fund
April 11, 2008 (Newsletter)
HEU members approve Bill 29 settlement
February 22, 2008 (News Release)
HEU members have voted 94 per cent in favour of labour adjustment measures and new rights that are part of a settlement to last year’s Bill 29 Supreme Court of Canada ruling
Government will introduce legislation to remove unconstitutional sections of Bill 29
January 31, 2008 (Newsletter)
Vince Ready to chair joint committee on Bill 29 compensation
January 30, 2008 (Newsletter)
Media coverage of Bill 29 settlement
January 30, 2008 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 settlement agreement reached for Community Health Subsector workers
January 29, 2008 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 settlement includes new rights, $75 million for compensation and training
January 28, 2008 (Newsletter)
Health care workers gain expanded rights in tentative settlement with government on Bill 29 court ruling
January 28, 2008 (News Release)
Settlement includes $75 million for compensation and training, action on staffing shortages, improved scrutiny of health privatization
Compensation, improved job security main union goals as Supreme Court deadline approaches
January 16, 2008 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 talks resume in January
December 21, 2007 (Newsletter)
New “shared services” organization could open door to further privatization of health services
December 14, 2007 (Newsletter)
Government scheme to centralize health services may lead to more privatization and layoffs
December 14, 2007 (News Release)
The B.C. government and its health authorities announce new bureaucracy whose sweeping mandate includes centralizing a number of health services and may prompt a new wave of privatization.
Union seeks information from workers affected by Bill 29
November 20, 2007 (Newsletter)
Health unions propose solution to staffing crisis, seek response on redress as Bill 29 talks enter second month
November 5, 2007 (Newsletter)
Victoria’s failure to disclose documents serious roadblock in Bill 29 talks – HEU
October 25, 2007 (News Release)
Documents related to $650 million in health privatization deals kept under wraps; government says reports or evaluations of cost effectiveness don’t exist
Bill 29 information meetings scheduled
October 16, 2007 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 talks with government resume later this month
October 14, 2007 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 talks: Government must change course on contracting out to protect seniors, patients
October 5, 2007 (News Release)
The provincial government has an historic opportunity to address the growing crisis in seniors’ and patient care by reviewing its position on contracting out
HEU and union partners lay out five-point framework for Bill 29 talks
October 5, 2007 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 talks underway Tuesday
October 2, 2007 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 talks: HEU focuses on redress and the restoration of collective bargaining rights
September 14, 2007 (Newsletter)
HEU will meet with government, HEABC in October for further talks on Bill 29
September 8, 2007 (Newsletter)
