On the heels of the recent multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) bargaining conference, the negotiating committee began talks yesterday with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) to renew a contract set to expire on March 31.
The CBA collective agreement covers more than 21,000 workers in the community health subsector from eight unions across the province – including about 2,300 HEU members.
Members set priorities, which the bargaining team will take to the table. These include addressing the gap in wages and benefits compared to other health care agreements, provisions for mental health care, and greater control over working conditions.
The pandemic has underscored how badly understaffed the health care sector is, and has highlighted its impact on workers, residents and clients.
With increased public support for issues facing community health members, the CBA has a unique opportunity to achieve important gains to wages and working conditions in this round of bargaining.
The B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is the lead union at the CBA table.
To stay connected and receive bargaining updates, members are encouraged to update their contact information on HEU’s website.
Bargaining bulletins are posted on the HEU website.