The Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) has reached a Framework with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and government on the primary elements of a tentative agreement.
“This Framework strengthens the province’s commitment to correct historic wrongs that have been negatively impacting the lives of thousands of mostly women and racialized health care workers since 2004,” says Lynn Bueckert, HEU secretary-business manager and FBA lead negotiator.
“Even though government is facing economic challenges, the Framework recognizes that health care workers continue to deliver essential care under tough conditions made even more challenging as B.C. grapples with an aging and growing population.”
“Our members love their jobs and want to be there for British Columbians,” says Bueckert. “This Framework will help bring real economic improvements for health care workers so they can continue delivering the care we all need.”
This Framework includes a pathway for renewed measures that will take place over the course of the next two collective agreements to continue addressing the vicious 2004 BC Liberal wage cuts that contribute to ongoing, significant wage comparability issues in the Facilities subsector. The FBA’s wage comparability process is similar to the low-wage redress process underway since 2014 in the Community Social Services and Community Health subsectors.
The Framework also outlines a clear path for the government to deliver on its long-time commitment to improve wages and benefits for health care workers who provide care for seniors in long-term care and assisted living.
Bueckert noted that the agreement marks a significant step forward in negotiations as the FBA bargaining committee moves closer to a tentative agreement for a renewed collective agreement.
“Our members provide critical support for B.C. patients and seniors in our hospitals and care homes,” says Bueckert. “And the Framework will step up efforts to keep and attract those health care workers.”
“With the Framework in place to resolve long-standing issues in health care, we are looking forward to returning to negotiating the remaining bargaining proposals still on the table,” says Bueckert.
“We also stand in solidarity with members of the BC General Employees’ Union and the Professional Employees Association as they conclude their strike vote on Friday to move negotiations forward at their respective bargaining tables.”
Details of the Framework will be made available to Facilities members once a tentative agreement is reached. The tentative agreement will also include other items being negotiated under the Balanced Measures Mandate.
The multi-union FBA represents more than 67,500 hospital and long-term care workers across the province. HEU represents approximately 95 per cent of workers in the Facilities health subsector.