November 20, 2012

VANCOUVER – Health science professionals have delivered a resounding 90 percent strike vote to back their bargaining committee in negotiations with BC’s health employers.

“This strong vote sends a clear message to government and health authorities that it’s time to come to the table and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement,” said Chris Losito, CUPE bargaining committee representative.

“After seven months both the government and the health authorities have nothing to offer. They have not responded to a wage demand, they refuse to respond to repeated requests for costing on budget-saving measures, and they have not dealt with important issues that matter to patients and the modern health care team we all count on for our good health,” Losito said.

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) has been at the bargaining table working to negotiate a new collective agreement since February. Talks broke down October 31. 

“Our bargaining committee has worked hard to propose reasonable improvements that that will help keep these highly specialized health science professionals from going to other provinces to work,” said Losito. “We know, our members know, and the public knows that without members of the modern health care team, the health care system doesn’t work.”

CUPE National Representative Justin Schmid said the strike vote delivers a strong message to government and health authorities that it’s time to negotiate under the government-imposed “cooperative gains” mandate, not hide behind that mandate.

“We’ve seen other employers able to work within the government mandate, and reach agreements that provide fair and reasonable settlements in the public sector. Health science professionals deserve no less,” he said.

CUPE represents over 500 members in the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA). HSA is the lead union in the 17,000 member bargaining association. Other unions in the bargaining association are BCGEU, PEA, and HEU.

VANCOUVER  Hundreds rallied in support of health care workers last Wednesday afternoon and sent a strong message to Christy Clark and the BC Liberals: “health care workers deserve a fair deal too!”

The rally was held for the 70,000 BC health workers who are still without a contract and have been without one for more than ten months now.

Both CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill and CUPE National president Paul Moist attended the rally to show their support for the 1,000 CUPE workers in the health sector.

CUPE Health Coordinator Justin Schmid says that health care workers are looking for the same deal that many other public sector workers have already received.

“We’re seeking a fair and reasonable deal with no concessions,” says Schmid. “It was very apparent at the rally that workers in this sector are prepared to stand up to the Liberals to achieve a fair contract.”

Schmid says that the CBA has taken a successful strike vote and HSBPA is in the midst of taking a strike vote.

Preparations continue through this week setting up the strike headquarters and organizing picketing plans. The Union will provide 72 hours notice of picketing to the employer and members should job action be necessary.

CUPE represents approximately 1,000 members who are part of two bargaining associations- the CBA and HSPBA. Other unions involved in these bargaining associations include BCGEU, UFCW, HEU, HSA USWA and PEA.

November 1, 2012

VANCOUVER – After seven months of bargaining, the province’s health science professionals – the modern health care team that delivers the diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services British Columbians rely on for their health – are taking a strike vote.

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) strike vote comes after talks broke off October 31 when the employers’ association (HEABC) explained it cannot engage in meaningful bargaining because of a restrictive “cooperative gains” bargaining mandate imposed by the BC government.

CUPE Bargaining committee member Chris Losito says that health science professionals have put forward a fair and reasonable framework proposal which is completely in line with the government’s mandate – which has allowed for four-and three- per cent wage increases in several two-year public sector agreements – including direct government service, several colleges, and for nurses

“Workers in this sector are frustrated, we’ve been patient but we can’t wait any longer,” says Losito. “After seven months at the bargaining table the employer was unable to respond to our framework agreement, and had nothing to table in response.”

Health science professionals are asking for wage increases of 2 per cent in each of 2012 and 2013.

“We have been working for more than seven months on a number of complex issues to try to work cooperatively with the government to address critical shortages in health science professions, and this week HEABC delivered the message that while they view the work as productive, the government has not given them a mandate to bargain in a fair and equitable way with health science professionals,” Losito said.

“Workers in this sector are taking a strike vote to show government and HEABC that health science professionals are serious about negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that helps maintain health care services in BC.”

The strike vote will wrap up on Friday, November 16.

CUPE represents approximately 500 members in the HSPBA which has over 17,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the HSA.  Other Unions at the table are BCGEU, PEA and HEU.

November 1, 2012

VANCOUVER – The government announced yesterday through the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC) that bargaining a fair collective agreement for health science professionals – who have been without a contract since April 2012 – is not on the agenda.

The day after the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) tabled a framework agreement that includes a modest wage increase, HEABC returned to the table, explaining its hands are tied by the Ministry of Health, which refuses to apply the government’s cooperative gains mandate for meaningful bargaining at the table.

Yesterday, the Association tabled a framework agreement.

“It is a fair and reasonable proposal and completely in line with the government’s mandate – evidenced by the 3 – and 4 – percent wage increases agreed to in several public sector agreements – including direct government service and nurses,” said CUPE bargaining committee member Chris Losito.

“We have been working for more than seven months on a number of complex issues to try to work cooperatively with the government to address critical shortages in health science professions, and today HEABC delivered the message that while they view the work as productive, they do not have a mandate to bargain with health science professionals,” he said.

Last week, bargaining association representatives took the unusual step of going to Victoria to meet directly with senior Ministry of Health officials to deliver the message directly that health science professionals deserve an equitable and fair agreement and that it’s time for some real bargaining.

Losito says that this clearly shows the lack of interest from the ministry.

The bargaining association will consider next steps and report to members later this week.

CUPE represents approximately 500 members in the HSPBA which has over 17,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the HSA.  Other Unions at the table are BCGEU, PEA and HEU.

October 31, 2012

VANCOUVER – After more than six months of talks, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSBPA) today tabled a wage proposal in contract discussions with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC).

The proposal is for 2 percent wage increases effective April 1, 2012 and April 1, 2013.

“The wage proposal reflects the pattern of wage increases achieved in public sector collective agreements which are rolling in throughout the rest of the public sector. We are satisfied we have put together a fair and reasonable collective agreement package that government must accept,” said CUPE bargaining committee member, Michael McKinley.

CUPE represents approximately 500 members in the bargaining association in which HSA is the lead union. Other unions represented at the table are: BCGEU, HEU, and PEA.

The wage proposal completes the unions’ package of proposals.

Other highlights of the union’s package include the implementation of an employee wellness plan, improved education leave, and proposals related to workload. The wellness plan includes strategies for improving overall health for members, preventing injury, and providing a healthy work/life balance. It ensures health science professionals have the support they need, including an enhanced disability management program that reduces the time lost to illness and injury.

There are still proposals that require further discussion and the Association asked that these be dealt with expeditiously. Those issues include:

• Workload
• Access to education leave
• Anti-bullying and anti-harassment language
• Transportation allowance
• Reimbursement for employee expenses
• Definitions of union stewards

HEABC is scheduled to respond to the proposal tomorrow.

“We have been at this for months. The time has come to get on with it,” McKinley said.

“Our bargaining committee is satisfied we have tabled a framework agreement the employer must take seriously. If we do not get indications from HEABC they are prepared to move toward a settlement, we will have to consider the options our members have to get the government to settle this contract in a timely manner,” he said.

October 10, 2012

VANCOUVER—In the wake of tentative agreements reached in the master provincial government workers’ (BCGEU) and nurses’ bargaining (NBA), the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) return to the bargaining table this week.

The bargaining association is optimistic that the tentative agreements achieved at those two tables signals a willingness by government to return to the health science professionals bargaining table with an appetite to bargain.

Both those tables have achieved tentative agreements under the cooperative gains mandate. And while the nurses’ agreement includes an attack on benefits that the unions cannot support, the direct government service tentative agreement does not. The HSPBA believes it is possible to get to a deal that does not erode benefits, and will take that message to the table.

In addition, a significant win in the continuing dispute regarding the application of interim classification modifications agreed to in the 2010-2012 collective agreement should also help kick-start concerted bargaining at the health science professionals’ table.

Bargaining dates have been set aside for this week and next.

CUPE represents approximately 500 members in the HSPBA which has over 17,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the HSA.  Other Unions at the table are BCGEU, PEA and HEU.