With health employers moving quickly to table a four-year collective agreement term when talks resumed last week, the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) has now shifted its efforts to review the impact of a longer term on the Facilities Framework and bargaining proposals.
“With the news in late October of a four-year tentative agreement for a majority of direct public service workers, it’s not surprising health employers are now seeking a similar term length for the Facilities subsector,” says Lynn Bueckert, Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) lead negotiator and HEU secretary-business manager. “Your bargaining committee is now working hard to understand the impact of a longer term on the primary elements of our historic Facilities Framework, including wage increases and wage restoration.”
The bargaining committee is also examining what a shift to a longer collective agreement means for other monetary provisions, including premiums, allowances and additional targeted compensation. Plus, the FBA is reviewing any impact on non-monetary items still on the table or already agreed to by both parties.
“We know we are going into extra innings here, but securing your next agreement has been one of the most complicated rounds of bargaining in a generation,” says Bueckert. “In spite of the time it takes, the most important thing for members to bear in mind is that your FBA committee is working hard to get the best deal."
In the meantime, hundreds of Facilities members have sent in their questions about where bargaining is headed since the BC General Employees’ Union reached a tentative settlement in late October. Already, more than 1,300 questions have been submitted online.
“It’s important we all understand how bargaining works and what’s happening with your priorities during negotiations, as we work towards a fair deal,” says Bueckert. “There’s no question too basic or simple, so please submit yours through our webform by November 9 and we will publish the answers to members most frequently asked questions next week.”
Work to secure sector agreements continues across the broader public service. The 34,000 members of the BC General Employees' Union are now voting on the tentative deal their union secured on October 26, while members of the Professional Employees Association paused job action to return to the bargaining table to resume talks on October 27.
The Community Bargaining Association is moving ahead with a strike vote this month for their members after reaching an impasse with employers in the early fall. Negotiations continue at other major health care, social services and K-12 education sector tables.
Facilities bargaining will resume on Wednesday, November 12.