Bargaining bulletin
February 19, 2013
Workers in the community health sector have voted 86 per cent in favour of a two-year contract that provides an across-the-board wage increase, and improved workplace and scheduling provisions.
The agreement comes after one year of difficult negotiations with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA), led by the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union. Ratification votes were held across the province the past four weeks.
Highlights include:
- Three per cent (3%) wage increase for all employees (2% upon ratification and 1% on April 1, 2013).
- Improved scheduling provisions.
- Improved grievance arbitration language.
- Respectful workplace provisions.
- Elimination of a double probationary period for casuals.
- Protection for casuals in the event of retendering.
The two-year contract covers more than 14,000 community health workers – including 1,500 HEU members. Other unions at the CBA table include UFCW, CUPE, HSA and USWA.
