Bill 29 Information Page
- FINAL DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING CLAIM FORMS HAS NOW PASSED (SEPTEMBER 30, 2008).
- COMPENSATION CHEQUES WILL BE MAILED BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2008.
Individual health care workers were affected by Bill 29 in many different ways. In order to create a process for potential claimants that was as fair, objective and transparent as possible, health unions secured the services of one of B.C.’s most respected mediator/arbitrators, Vince Ready.
Mr. Ready handed down a decision on March 31 that set out categories of impact, and criteria under which potential claimants qualified for redress. He also established several key questions for a Claim Form that was used to determine whether or not an individual qualified for redress, and the amount for which they qualified.
A joint union-employer committee, assisted by Vince Ready, used the information collected in claim forms to determine whether or not a potential claimant was eligible for a payment from the fund, and the amount of money individuals who qualified for redress received.
Cheques will be distributed by the end of December 2008.
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:
New Bill 29/Employment Insurance appeal date – March 2
January 5, 2010 (Newsletter)
Bill 29 Employment Insurance appeal deadline October 2
August 25, 2009 (Newsletter)
Deadline to access Bill 29 re-training fund extended
February 5, 2009 (Newsletter)
HEU ads urge Victoria to take responsibility for hospital contractors
January 27, 2009 (News Release)
HEU launched an ad campaign this week calling on government to take more responsibility for its hospital contractors
Health minister’s statement on shared services “premature and unhelpful”
December 9, 2008 (News Release)
Bill 29 compensation to be paid to health care workers
November 10, 2008 (News Release)
Health care workers who lost their jobs as a result of Bill 29 will receive compensation cheques before Christmas
Bill 29 compensation update: Arbitrator Vince Ready ruled on loss of health and welfare benefits
September 24, 2008 (Newsletter)
Final call for Bill 29 claims
September 24, 2008 (Newsletter)
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)
HEU member tells news media about the impacts of privatization and low wages
November 27, 2007 (Newsletter)
Union seeks information from workers affected by Bill 29
November 20, 2007 (Newsletter)
