Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) lead negotiator Lynn Bueckert joined leaders from the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), the Professional Employees’ Union (PEA) and other public sector unions at a press conference marking Day 24 of the longest public service strike in B.C. history.
“This morning, when I spoke at the Victoria press conference hosted by the BCGEU and PEA, I had the privilege of delivering solidarity greetings on behalf of HEU members and the 67,500 health care workers in the FBA,” says Bueckert, who also serves as HEU secretary-business manager. “HEU and the FBA are proud to be part of a strong labour movement that defends public services and stands in solidarity with working people.”
As of today, more than 15,000 public service workers from the two unions – nearly half of the public sector – are engaged in job action across the province. At the press conference, BCGEU and PEA leaders reaffirmed their demands that the government improve its wage offer to better address affordability challenges their members face when public service bargaining resumes on Monday, September 29.
“At the Facilities table, even though we were making good progress with health employers before the public service strike began, we paused negotiations on September 2 in solidarity with BCGEU and PEA – and talks remain on hold while the strike continues,” says Bueckert. “In the meantime, the FBA continues coordinating with other public sector unions through the BC Federation of Labour and engaging Facilities members about bargaining.”
Once bargaining resumes, the FBA aims to work quickly to resolve outstanding monetary and non-monetary proposals still on the table. The full details of all provisions will be presented to members when a tentative deal is reached.
“As I outlined in late August, the FBA has a Framework in place with health employers about the primary elements of a tentative agreement that establishes the cornerstones of important compensation improvements,” says Bueckert. “I am confident that once we return to the table, your bargaining committee will be in a strong position to finalize a tentative agreement which should go to all members later this fall for review and vote.”
While talks are paused, HEU members of the FBA bargaining committee have had extensive text conversations with other members about negotiations. From questions about the bargaining process to whether Facilities members may go out on their own strike, FBA bargaining committee members have spent the last three weeks texting back-and-forth with thousands of HEU members.
“Compared to the last round of Facilities bargaining, talks this time are taking longer – and understandably with the lengthy public service strike FBA members have a lot of questions,” says Bueckert. “That’s why it’s been great for the bargaining committee to engage directly over text with close to 3,000 members, answering questions and hearing feedback on the FBA’s work since February to get the best deal possible in tough economic times.”
Looking ahead to next week, HEU members in the Lower Mainland are encouraged to attend the march and rally in support of striking public service workers in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 1. Marchers will gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 12 p.m. and head to the rally at Jack Poole Plaza,1055 Canada Place.