[BURNABY, B.C.] – The nine-union Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) reached a tentative agreement late last night with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) that will continue to improve working and caring conditions in B.C.’s hospitals and long-term care facilities.
“This tentative agreement secures wage improvements to better attract, retain and support frontline health care workers who deliver the care British Columbians want and need,” says Lynn Bueckert, the FBA’s lead negotiator and the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) secretary-business manager. “The agreement also features key enhancements to support frontline staff, lower injury rates and make workplaces more inclusive.”
Under the agreement, FBA members would receive a general wage increase of three per cent in each year of the four-year term, as well as targeted increases for some shift premiums, leaves and allowances. Non-monetary gains will strengthen and expand occupational health and safety measures, provide new supports for Indigenous workers, enhance workplace diversity, strengthen union representation rights, and improve provisions for work-life balance.
The four-year agreement also builds on the Facilities Framework between the FBA, health employers and government announced in August. The Framework’s foundational commitments on key components of the tentative agreement include additional compensation increases outside the provincial public-sector bargaining mandate to right historic wrongs in B.C.’s public health system.
“Outside of the provincial bargaining mandate, the government has renewed its commitment to reverse deep wage cuts that harmed the lives of tens of thousands of B.C. health care workers and their families over 20 years ago,” says Bueckert. “In this tentative agreement, the FBA significantly advanced efforts to restore wages that were unjustifiably rolled back in 2004 by the BC Liberals – so that pay for hospital and long-term care workers keeps up with employees doing similar jobs across B.C.’s public sector.”
A new wage restoration fund of $60.5 million for permanent wage adjustments will be distributed to members over the 2025-2029 agreement. Moreover, the health employers and government committed to extending restoration measures beyond 2029, agreeing to future permanent and ongoing wage adjustments over the following two collective agreements.
“The tentative agreement also charts 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," says Bueckert.
Workers covered by the tentative agreement include care aides, health records staff, laboratory and other diagnostic specialists, porters, sterile supply technicians, trades and maintenance workers, activity aides and rehab assistants, IT specialists, pharmacy technicians, admitting and booking clerks, administrative staff, cleaning and dietary staff. HEU represents more than 95 per cent of the 67,500 workers covered by the Facilities agreement.
Later this month, FBA members will receive a detailed report on wage increases and all other provisions in the tentative agreement ahead of a ratification vote. Online voting is scheduled to take place from December 15-19 and all members are eligible to cast a ballot.