HEU’s 2027 provincial budget submission calls on the B.C. government to take the next steps needed to improve working and caring conditions for health care workers and the people they care for.
“HEU recommends that the province bring all long-term care and assisted living workers into the public sector, including workers employed by subcontracted operators,” says Lynn Bueckert, HEU’s spokesperson and secretary-business manager. “Benefits and working conditions can vary significantly across seniors' care, leading to challenges in recruitment and retention that make care less safe for workers and residents.”
“Late last year, the B.C. government signed a historic agreement with HEU that will see more than 5,000 unionized long-term care and assisted living workers transition to the public sector by 2028,” says Bueckert. “But more needs to be done as not all health care workers in private seniors’ care are included in this agreement.”
The union’s submission also raises concerns about the province’s decision to pause construction on several long-term care projects at a time when demand for seniors’ care continues to grow.
“New long-term care beds should be built in the public and non-profit sectors, where care quality and working conditions can be strengthened together,” says Bueckert. “We believe a dedicated capital funding program will help health authorities and non-profit providers build and renovate the long-term care homes B.C. needs now and into the future.”
Across health care, HEU is also advocating for strategies that grow the workforce, improve job stability, support career development and address the pressures members face on the job every day.
That includes expanding career laddering and “earn-and-learn” programs, such as the Health Career Access Program, so current health care workers have more opportunities to train and advance within the public system.
HEU is also calling for better workforce data, including improved reporting on turnover, worker demographics, and workplace conditions and experiences, so recruitment and retention efforts can be better targeted.
“As government prepares the 2027 provincial budget, HEU will continue to advocate for investments that support members, stabilize the workforce, and expand public and non-profit seniors’ care across B.C.,” says Bueckert.