BURNABY – More than 750 CUPE members represented by the Health Sciences Professional Bargaining Association (HSPBA) will soon have greater control over their benefits, thanks to a new joint benefits trust that will better address members’ needs.
The Joint Health Sciences Benefit Trust (JHSBT) was negotiated as part of the 2014-2019 HSPBA collective agreement to protect and enhance members’ benefits. The HSPBA/HEABC Working Group tasked with setting up the JHSBT has made substantial headway on a long list of priorities in advance of the anticipated hand-over of responsibility to the joint trust. Key documents for the new trust are in place and the work of companion agreements are nearing completion as the Working Group moves closer to concluding the formal negotiation stage which began in 2014.
Troy Clifford, CUPE’s representative on the JHSBT working group, describes the trust as a progressive and innovative approach that will lead to better, more secure benefits.
“The JHSBT is a better trust model than the traditional health and welfare trust model. There’s more flexibility for members, improved oversight and better value for service,” said Clifford.
For more information on the JHSBT, see the HSPBA’s joint release. You can also contact Troy Clifford at tclifford@cupe.ca or your respective CUPE Local HSPBA representative.