After a pause in negotiations, the multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) will resume contract talks on September 22 with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) as the parties work toward a renewed collective agreement covering 21,000 health care workers, including 2,300 HEU members.
The CBA and HEABC have three days confirmed for next week, followed by two days the week of September 29, and additional dates to be scheduled after Thanksgiving in October.
Since March, the parties have spent 16 days at the bargaining table. And despite exchanging full non-monetary proposals, progress has been limited to minor administrative (“housekeeping”) updates.
Due to lack of progress, the CBA cancelled July bargaining dates to regroup around next steps.
When the parties meet on September 22, the CBA will remind HEABC that any path to a tentative agreement must include a monetary offer which meaningfully addresses the affordability crisis facing public sector workers in British Columbia.
Community health workers, and all workers across the public sector, need fair wage increases to stay in their jobs and continue delivering the critical services British Columbians rely on.
Update on facilities bargaining
There’s currently extensive speculation in the media and on social channels about the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) Framework and other provisions being negotiated.
For example, recent posts incorrectly reported the FBA had accepted the employers’ initial general wage offer of up to 3.5 per cent over two years – an offer the bargaining committee told the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) was unacceptable soon after it was tabled in June.
To be clear, the FBA does not yet have an agreement with HEABC, and will continue to bargain for a fair contract when negotiations resume. Currently, contract talks are paused as the FBA stands in solidarity with striking BCGEU labour allies.
Public service strike update
In recent weeks, BCGEU launched a public service strike, with rotating job actions and picket lines, across the province. This impacts about 34,000 public service workers.
In addition, licensed professionals covered by the Professional Employees Association (PEA) have also been on the picket lines.
HEU is supporting both unions and encourages all members to show their solidarity with fellow frontline workers by respecting any picket lines by not crossing them and, where possible, joining striking workers on their lines.
If an employer insists you cross a picket line, please remember that refusing to cross is not grounds for discipline. If the employer tries to discipline you, contact your shop steward to file a grievance.
If you require further assistance, contact HEU at 1-800-663-5813 and ask to be connected with your staff representative.
Members covered by the CBA collective agreement are not on strike as they are covered by a different contract. As outlined above, the CBA bargaining committee is still in negotiations.
At the CBA bargaining table, committee members Nicole Russell, Lisa Bouma and Donna Zmaeff represent HEU’s community health members, along with servicing representatives Brenda Brown and Tasha Whenham.
HEU’s community health members are encouraged to keep their contact information updated to stay informed on the bargaining process.
The Community Bargaining Association includes BCGEU (the lead), CUPE, HEU (2,300 members), UFCW, HSA, BCNU, and USW, covering 21,000 health care workers across the province.