BURNABY— The member unions of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC).
The deal, ratified by a vote of more than 94 per cent, is retroactive to April 1, 2022 and effective until March 31, 2025. The CBA made substantial gains in key areas identified by members, including significant wage increases averaging 14 to 16 per cent over three years, protection of workers’ benefits, and greater control over working conditions.
“Working through a global pandemic, overdose death emergency, and housing crisis, our members told us that achieving a fair wage increase that closes the gap with other health sector workers was their top priority,” said CBA Bargaining Committee member Andy Healey.
“CUPE members will experience significant monetary gains and have a stronger Collective Agreement that will improve safety and psychological well-being, with working conditions that will help members provide care and support for the communities we work with.”
CUPE representatives on the CBA negotiating committee—CUPE 1004’s Healey, CUPE 15’s Liza Taylor and CUPE Health Coordinator Andrew Ledger—will now work together with the seven other constituent unions of the bargaining association to implement the new provisions.
The committees and working groups will also begin working on full mobility in Health Authorities, OH&S initiatives, and any further changes or updates to the Joint Community Benefit Trust funding structure.