June 19, 2012
Three weeks of negotiations for the renewal of the Community Health collective agreement covering 14,000 health care and administrative workers in the Community Health sub-sector concluded on Saturday, June 16 in Vancouver. Talks are scheduled to resume on July 9, 2012 for one week.
The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) tabled their monetary proposals on Friday, June 15. The unions are asking for a cost of living increase plus one per cent in each year of a two-year agreement, and are proposing to close the gap with classifications doing the same work in the Facilities subsector. The unions also proposed that casuals should receive 20 cents per hour in lieu of health and welfare benefits.
On Saturday, June 16 the Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia (HEABC) presented their compensation and benefits proposal. The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) is reviewing the proposals and has requested additional information from the employer. The CBA will be responding to this proposal during the week of July 9, when they next meet with the employer.
Last week the two parties also exchanged proposals on previously tabled issues. HEABC and the CBA tabled and discussed the grievance and arbitration procedures, continued to discuss the scheduling provisions and discussed issues related to casual rights.
The primary non-monetary issues remaining are scheduling, posting language, grievance and arbitration procedures, health and safety, rights for casual employees, anti-bullying and reimbursable allowances.
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.