Bargaining for a renewed Facilities agreement will enter a new phase of negotiations, following today's announcement of a tentative deal for a majority of direct government workers in the public service.
“The tentative deal announced Sunday morning by the government and the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) marks another major step on the road for public sector bargaining in our province,” says Lynn Bueckert, Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) lead negotiator and HEU secretary-business manager. “The work ahead for the FBA bargaining committee now shifts to evaluating how our August 28 Framework can be further strengthened by the tentative BCGEU agreement to deliver the best deal for our 67,500 members.”
To recap, the FBA reached a Framework with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and government in late August on the primary elements of a tentative agreement. In addition to commitments on general wage increases and all other compensation boosts, the Framework includes a pathway with significant commitments for additional wage increases that continue to restore wages cut in 2004 by the BC Liberals.
"On behalf of the FBA, I want to recognize the sacrifice and commitment of the thousands of public service workers that helped bring about the first tentative agreement in this round of public sector bargaining,” says Bueckert. “With the BCGEU tentative deal in place and the FBA Framework underpinning our work, your Facilities bargaining committee will redouble its efforts to continue advancing the priorities of our members to improve wages and working conditions.”
While a tentative agreement has been reached for BCGEU’s 34,000 members, more than 1,800 PEA members remain on strike. HEU members are asked to continue respecting PEA picket lines in solidarity with striking members.
Bargaining with health employers is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, October 28.