January 3, 2013
VANCOUVER– Community Health Bargaining will reconvene on Monday, January 7 in Vancouver following a break over the holidays.
“CUPE community health workers have now been at the bargaining table for a year. Some progress has been made on non-monetary issues but we are frustrated that talks have now been stalled over wages and benefits,” said Pat Taylor, CUPE bargaining committee member. “It’s time for a fair and reasonable agreement for community health workers- one which reflects the true value of the services they deliver to their communities.”
No job action is planned for this week, but if an agreement cannot be reached by the end of next week, rotating strike action will continue starting as early as January 14. Workers will be contacted through their stewards or local executive if their workplace is a target for job action.
Workers in community health have been without a contract since March 31 and are among the lowest paid in the public sector. They are the frontline caregivers in BC’s health care system, providing compassionate, quality care and support to people in their homes and other facilities.
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.
For all bargaining updates and information on CUPE’s health sector in BC visit https://bcchs.cupe.ca/