More than 2,000 HEU members working at fully private long-term care and assisted living sites are now facing wage cuts following the end of the provincial wage levelling program for all fully private facilities on December 31, 2025, according to a recent survey of wage settlements by HEU.
The wage levelling program was introduced during the pandemic to help stabilize staffing in seniors’ care and reduce wage gaps across the sector. It also helped support the single-site order that protected residents and workers during COVID-19.
When the program ended, HEU bargaining committees had a new priority to address at 31 fully private worksites across the province impacted by the change. Some bargaining committees were already engaged in bargaining for the first collective agreements at newly organized sites or renewing recently expired collective agreements. Still other bargaining committees negotiated wage reopeners in existing contracts.
As these private-pay, long-term care and assisted living sites are not publicly funded, they are ineligible to join the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) under the recent Long-Term Care Memorandum of Agreement.
Major wage gaps remain, HEU bargaining committees averted most drastic outcomes
The recent review of collective agreements across these 31 sites by HEU researchers shows major differences in wages for workers doing similar jobs in seniors’ care.
In some cases, workers have seen their annual income reduced by five to 21 per cent compared to the wage levelling period. Despite these wage cuts, HEU bargaining committees were able to avoid the worst case scenario at some impacted sites.
“I’m proud of our local bargaining committees who worked hard and pushed employers to settlements that increased collective agreement wage rates by the provincial public sector pattern since the start of the pandemic,” says Lynn Bueckert, HEU’s secretary- business manager. “This prevented drastic outcomes that may have seen some workers receive deep wage cuts ranging from 30 to 50 per cent.”
HEU bargainers are continuing with first collective agreement talks at three sites that lost wage levelling. In the interim, these sites’ employers chose to maintain wage levels at the public sector standard.
HEU believes this demonstrates that maintaining fair wages in seniors’ care remains possible and important for workforce stability and quality care. It also shows the power of collective bargaining and the need for a strong collective agreements when special programs end.
HEU will continue fighting for better wages
Since 2020, wage levelling has helped support income stability for workers and staffing stability for all fully private employers during a period of high inflation and ongoing recruitment challenges. The program continues at all publicly funded long-term care and assisted living sites.
HEU continues to push for fair wages and improved standards for workers across the seniors’ care sector. Most of the impacted collective agreements will be up for renegotiation over the next 18 months.
“HEU members working in seniors’ care deserve fair wages and respect for the essential work they do every day,” says Bueckert. “We will continue fighting to close wage gaps and support members as bargaining continues across the sector.”
As private seniors’ care continues to play a significant role in B.C., HEU believes government must continue exploring solutions that support workers, strengthen care standards and improve stability for both residents and staff.