CBA

November 6, 2012

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) reviewed the employer’s latest offer and although a wage increase is included in the offer, it is tied securely to a corresponding “offset” (cost savings) from the collective agreement.  The offset is matched by the employer to provide the wage increase.  There is no guarantee built into the proposal that the wage increase will not be eroded in the future by increases to the cost of the provisions where the ‘savings’ were proposed.

The employer has not changed their position related to the offset, and failing a move from them, there is nothing to discuss at the bargaining table.

There is no strike action planned for CUPE sites this week. If your employer is to be targeted you will be advised of that plan by the union.

There will be a rally this week at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 12:15 – 12:45.  All three health sector bargaining associations will be participating in the rally, and we encourage members to come to the rally in support of a fair deal for 70,000 BC health care workers.

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.

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#rally4healthcare

November 1, 2012

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) has reviewed the employer’s latest offer and has determined that there is no reason to return to the bargaining table at this time.

HEABC continues to hold the position that an increase in wages must be accompanied by an offset found within the collective agreement.

Given that there has been no change in the employer’s position, the CBA has decided to take action in order to make progress. Limited job action will commence on Wednesday, November 7th and will coincide with a rally in downtown Vancouver the same day.

“Nothing has changed since our last meeting with HEABC, so our next step is to commence job action,” says CUPE bargaining committee member, Pat Taylor.  “Over 14,000 Community Health and Support workers have been waiting for a deal since January. This is simply not good enough; our members deserve a fair deal.”

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.

October 3, 2012

Members of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) voted 86 percent in favour of job action after more than six months of negotiations.

“We are very pleased that our members have given us a strong strike mandate, and we will be asking the HEABC (Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia) to return to the bargaining table on October 9th,” says Pat Taylor, one of CUPE’s representatives at the bargaining table. “If HEABC doesn’t move on its proposals, we’ll be forced to consider job action.”

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.

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August 28, 2012

Talks to renew the Community Subsector Collective agreement have adjourned and the unions will be conducting a strike vote.

“We are seeking a fair and reasonable deal,” said Pat Taylor, a CUPE member who sits on the multi-union bargaining committee. “Workers in community health have not had a pay increase since 2009 and our members cannot continue to keep falling behind.”

Negotiations resumed for two weeks in Vancouver on August 15, but the government mandate continues to be a roadblock in reaching a fair and reasonable deal.

Although progress has been made on most non-monetary items, outstanding issues include wages and benefits.

“We have been at the table for eight months frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations. The employer continues to refuse to move on some key issues and negotiations have halted,” says Jill Stromnes, CUPE bargaining committee member. “This strike vote is the next step in showing the employer that members are prepared to stand up for the fair and reasonable settlement they deserve.”

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.

Details about strike meetings in your area will be posted shortly! 

July 20, 2012

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia (HEABC) continued negotiations for the renewal of the Community Health collective agreement for four days and concluded on July 12, 2012.  Talks are scheduled to continue for two weeks in Vancouver starting August 15.

During the week of bargaining, the CBA and HEABC discussed and tabled counter proposals on the issues of job postings, layoff and recall, arbitration procedure, occupational health and safety, and issues related to casual rights.

The primary non-monetary issues remaining are posting language, grievance and arbitration procedures, health and safety, rights for casual employees, anti-bullying and reimbursable allowances.

“While the members of the bargaining committee are pleased that the employer is willing to continue talks we are looking for real progress in August,” said Pat Taylor, CUPE bargaining committee member.

“The members need a fair and reasonable settlement and we want the employer to bring a solid offer to the table,” adds Taylor.

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.

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.

July 20, 2012

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia (HEABC) continued negotiations for the renewal of the Community Health collective agreement for four days and concluded on July 12, 2012.  Talks are scheduled to continue for two weeks in Vancouver starting August 15.

During the week of bargaining, the CBA and HEABC discussed and tabled counter proposals on the issues of job postings, layoff and recall, arbitration procedure, occupational health and safety, and issues related to casual rights.

The primary non-monetary issues remaining are posting language, grievance and arbitration procedures, health and safety, rights for casual employees, anti-bullying and reimbursable allowances.

“While the members of the bargaining committee are pleased that the employer is willing to continue talks we are looking for real progress in August,” said Pat Taylor, CUPE bargaining committee member.

“The members need a fair and reasonable settlement and we want the employer to bring a solid offer to the table,” adds Taylor.

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/

June 13, 2012

Negotiations aimed at concluding a new contract covering 16,000 health care and administrative workers in the Community Health sub-sector continued this week in Vancouver. Talks are scheduled to continue over the weekend and into next week.

On Monday and again on Wednesday the Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia (HEABC) presented a broad based benefits proposal.  The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) is reviewing the proposals and we will provide you with the details when we have been able to get clarity.

This week the two parties also discussed issues and exchanged amendments to previously tabled proposals. HEABC and CBA tabled and discussed the grievance and arbitration procedures and continued to discuss the scheduling provisions.

Talks are scheduled to continue for one more week.

The primary non-monetary issues remaining are scheduling, grievance and arbitration procedures, health and safety, anti-bullying and allowances.

“This week, while we made some progress, the bargaining committee is now working to fully understand the employer’s benefits proposal,” said Pat Taylor, CUPE bargaining committee member. “We are working through the weekend to narrow the issues.”

Jill Stromnes, CUPE bargaining committee member, says that the bargaining team continues to wait for a fair and reasonable wage offer from HEABC.

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.

June 7, 2012

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) met last week and over the weekend in Vancouver to exchange and discuss proposals with the Health Employers’ Association of British Columbia (HEABC).

Last week the two parties discussed issues and exchanged amendments to previously tabled proposals. The CBA tabled counter proposals related to casuals, job postings and classifications. HEABC and CBA tabled and discussed counter proposals to the grievance and arbitration procedures and continued to discuss the scheduling provisions.

In a discussion led by Larry Scott from UFCW, the CBA reviewed the anti-bullying provisions in Bill 14 (amendments to the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2011).

Talks are scheduled to continue for two more weeks.

The primary non-monetary issues remaining are scheduling, grievance and arbitration procedures, health and safety, anti-bullying and allowances. Benefits and compensation will be discussed after non-monetary items have been dealt with.

“While some progress is being made, the committee remains frustrated with the slow pace of negotiations,” said Pat Taylor, a CUPE bargaining committee member. “We expect that bargaining will shift to monetary issues shortly.”

Taylor adds that the bargaining committee is waiting for HEABC to bring a fair and reasonable wage offer to the table.

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.