April 23, 2012
The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) resumed bargaining last week in Vancouver exchanging and discussing proposals for four days with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC).
The two parties discussed several issues and exchanged proposals on previously tabled proposals and have now canvassed most of the non-monetary issues. This week both parties will continue to work to narrow the differences or gain agreement on many issues members have identified as important.
“During bargaining we try to resolve the non-monetary issues first,” said Pat Taylor, CUPE bargaining committee member. “After we have dealt with the non-monetary issues, we will move on to discuss issues like benefits and wages that have a monetary component.”
“We have made some progress and the employer is showing a willingness to discuss the issues we have put on the table,” said Jill Stromnes, also a CUPE bargaining committee member.
Community health will continue bargaining this week in Vancouver with additional dates set for the following week.
CUPE represents approximately 500 members in the CBA which has over 14,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the BCGEU. Other Unions at the table are UFCW, HEU, HSA, and USWA.