January 15, 2013
VANCOUVER – The multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC).
The two-year proposed agreement covers over 14,000 workers in community health, and comes after one year of difficult negotiations. The agreement achieves our members’ key priorities including an across the board wage increase while protecting health and welfare benefits. Highlights include:
- 3% wage increase for all employees (2% upon ratification and 1% April 1st)
- Improved grievance arbitration language
- Respectful workplace provisions
- Improved selection criteria provisions
- Elimination of a double probationary period for casuals
- Protection for casuals in the event of retendering
Last week, mediator Debbie Cameron was able to narrow the differences and bring the parties closer together.
“It has been a difficult year of bargaining, but we are happy to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement,” says CUPE bargaining committee representative Pat Taylor. “This agreement follows the pattern set in the recently ratified agreement in Facilities and is consistent with other agreements reached in the health sector.
The CUPE bargaining committee joins with the other members of the CBA in support of the tentative agreement. The bargaining committee is recommending that members vote in favour of the proposed settlement.
Workers in community health were without a contract since March 31, 2012 and are among the lowest paid in the public sector. They are the frontline caregivers in BC’s healthcare system, providing compassionate, quality care and support to people in their homes and other facilities.
CUPE represents approximately 500 members in the CBA, the majority of who are represented by the BCGEU. Other Unions in the CBA include UFCW, HEU, HSA, and USWA.