HEU and the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) are heading into mediation with the employer on wage restoration.
"Talks over the summer on how to allocate the $60.5 million in permanent wage grid adjustments, secured in the renewed Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) collective agreement, did not resolve how the funds will be distributed," says HEU's secretary-business manager and FBA lead negotiator Lynn Bueckert. "The parties have extended the original June 30 deadline to allow for mediation and, if needed, dispute resolution."
"Since my last message to you in June, I’ve read members’ emails and seen your comments on social media, so I know you are eager to hear what’s next on wage restoration," says Bueckert. "The next step is to set up meeting dates with Arbitrator Jacquie de Aguayo, who was formerly HEU’s assistant secretary-business manager, knows the sector and the FBA collective agreement."
She mediated differences between the parties that arose in the implementation of the 2022-2025 memorandum of agreement regarding the Facilities subsector wage comparability review, which provided the first $15.6 million in adjustments to the wage grid in 2023 and 2024. In addition to being a respected arbitrator, she served as chair of the B.C. Labour Relations Board.
Members will not lose out on permanent wage increases above the annual general wage increase because of the additional time it is taking to implement the agreement.
Members can expect an update soon as soon as mediation dates are secured.