The Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) continues to make steady progress in negotiations with health employers.
In recent weeks, your bargaining team has gone back and forth with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) on key issues like health and safety and monetary improvements. So far, the FBA has tabled 170 proposals aimed at improving working conditions, pay and respect for health care workers.
“Bargaining is slow but steady,” says FBA lead negotiator and HEU secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert. “It’s the nature of bargaining, but we are making progress.”
This week, the employer responded to several FBA health and safety proposals, including prevention stewards, dealing with aggressive patients and residents, working alone, manual lifting, critical incident stress debriefing and Occupational Health and Safety supervisor training.
“This is a good sign,” says Bueckert. “We look forward to building on months of work in this area to get closer to finalizing these pieces.”
Progress was also made toward recognizing days of cultural or religious significance. The employer responded to an important FBA proposal that would allow members to exchange statutory holidays for other days that better reflect their cultural or religious practices. The committee looks forward to reviewing the employer’s counter proposal and addressing the elements of colonization of Article 27.
There has not been any movement on wages at the table. However, the bargaining committee continues to focus on this key issue and are preparing counter proposals to help move negotiations.
Bargaining will pause in early August and resume on August 19. The bargaining committee remains focused and ready to build momentum when talks continue.
The bargaining committee is committed to keeping members engaged and informed. In addition to recent telephone town halls, the committee is now texting members directly.
“Supporting the bargaining team is about unity,” says Bueckert. “That’s why we’re reaching out directly – because when workers are informed and stand together, we have the power to achieve a fair contract.”
One of the best ways to support bargaining is by signing the petition backing the bargaining committee and their efforts at the table. Every signature helps send a clear message: health care workers deserve better.
Show your support: This Is Health Care – Support B.C.'s Health Care Workers
Are we taking a strike vote?
No – not at this time.
Strike votes only happen when bargaining reaches an impasse. As long as talks are moving forward and future dates are scheduled, bargaining continues.
The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) recently announced a strike vote for its public service members after reaching an impasse with the Public Service Agency. That vote does not involve FBA members.
“I want to assure HEU members that we are still making progress and do not have plans for a strike vote,” says Bueckert. “Members will be the first to know if that changes.”