For the last three weeks the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) has resumed talks with the employers’ group, with plans to negotiate straight through to January 30.
Money-related issues are the focus of talks at the bargaining table now, along with outstanding non-monetary issues. That means conversations are getting more significant and more challenging, leaving a lot of hard work ahead for your bargaining committee to accomplish.
During January’s negotiations, the Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA) tabled a partial counter offer to the CSSBA’s second monetary package. This week the bargaining committee reviewed the response in detail and presented a counter proposal.
In addition to the main table talks, on January 26 and 27, the Indigenous services bargaining committee had important and substantive conversations with employers, specific to the subsector. Those CSSBA bargaining committee members who work in Indigenous services remain committed to the bargaining work at the main table, while they engage in these critical issue-specific talks that directly impact Indigenous workers.
More bargaining dates are scheduled for February 2-5 and 17-18 – stay tuned for updates.
Public sector update
While the CSSBA continues to make headway in negotiations, here’s what is happening in other public sector bargaining associations:
- Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) - On December 19, the FBA ratified a four-year collective agreement with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).
- Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) - Earlier in January, the HSPBA bargaining committee suspended contract negotiations and is now preparing for job action.
- Community Health Bargaining Association (CBA) - On the heels of their successful November strike vote, community health workers were back at the bargaining table on Jan 19-23, making meaningful progress on non-monetary and monetary items.
- Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) - The NBA tabled its main package of proposals this week when contract negotiations resumed.
The Community Social Services Bargaining Association includes BCGEU (the lead), CUPE, HEU (1,500 members), LiUNA, HSA, CLAC, USW, UFCW, and BCNU, covering 23,000 health care workers across the province.