CBA UPDATE: Members of the Community Health Services and Support sector vote in favour of job action

 

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.

HSPBA UPDATE: HEABC brings concessionary demands to health science professionals bargaining table in week that government mulls wage freezes

 

September 17, 2012

Bargaining for a new Health Science Professionals’ Bargaining Association collective agreement resumed this week against the backdrop of a pessimistic pronouncement by BC’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Mike de Jong, about the state of the province’s finances. Once again, a finance minister is revising predictions that called for a rosy future and sombrely telling British Columbians that the deficit is on the rise, and costs have to be contained.

In the government’s quarterly financial update Thursday, de Jong said the province will be reviewing its current bargaining mandate, which restricts any wage increase in public sector collective agreements to “cooperative gains.” That is, in order to fund any increased costs associated with wages, savings must be found somewhere in the system to pay for the people who deliver the service.

“While we continue to discuss substantive contract issues that affect health science professionals, the bargaining committee will be paying close attention to any developments on the government’s mandate,” said HSPBA’s chief negotiator Jeanne Meyers. “The reality is that health science professionals in British Columbia continue to fall behind the wage standards of their peers across the country. Any move by the government to continue to force them to fall behind spells disaster for the potential to recruit and keep the health science professionals who are integral to the modern health care team here in BC,” she said.

In bargaining this week the HPSBA provided a substantive response to HEABC’s classification proposal.  The proposal would delete the existing system, replacing it with an entirely new system which does not provide guarantees of adequate supervision, clinical direction, or practice leadership – all of which would remain at the discretion of the employer.

While the HPSBA has for years advocated for a substantial overhaul of the classifications system to more accurately reflect the nature of the specialized work of health science professionals, the bargaining committee made it clear that a change to the system does not mean an opportunity for the employer to undervalue the work of members. Our proposal provides for full retroactivity for any upgrades described in the employer’s proposal. The collective agreement expired more than five months ago (March 31, 2012).

In other bargaining developments this week, HEABC negotiators tabled proposals which include:

  • A change to the definition of part-time status, which would require a minimum number of hours worked per week of 14.4 hours. This is a concessionary demand. The union successfully negotiated the removal of minimum hours from the definition of part-time in the 1980s. This was to support employees with family responsibilities which may prevent them from working full time, and to support employees with family responsibilities which may prevent them from maintaining full-time positions.
  • A return to language which would recognize the principle of seniority as only a tie-breaker in cases of promotion, demotion or transfer.  This is a concessionary demand.
  • Elimination of the Final Offer Selection process as a means of dispute resolution where there are challenges to shift schedules. Under the HEABC’s proposal the Employer’s proposed schedule just prevails if employees cannot be persuaded to accept it.

The HSPBA tabled language which would:

  • Extend the provisions of Article 18 (parental leave) to adoptive parents and same-sex parents.
  • Continue the Professional Development fund on a funding formula of $225,000 per collective agreement year.
  • Provide for increased paid union steward time in facilities of greater than 300 FTE.

To date, there has been no substantive response from HEABC on any union proposals with monetary implications nor has the employer provided comprehensive costings on any of its proposals.

The parties are working to establish further meeting dates for bargaining.

CUPE’s representatives at the HSPBA table include Chris Losito, CUPE 15 member, Michael McKinley, CUPE 1978 member and Justin Schmid, CUPE National Representative.

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.

CBA UPDATE: Workers in community health sector to take strike vote

 

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! 

CBA UPDATE: Community Health Bargaining Continues

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.

CBA UPDATE: Community Health talks adjourn for three weeks after tabling monetary proposals

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.

CBA UPDATE: Community Health Bargaining Continues

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 http://bcchs.cupe.ca/

HSPBA UPDATE: Contract talks covering BC’s modern health care professionals set to resume in August; work continues on classifications grievance

June 19, 2012

 

Bargaining discussions between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC) for a new collective agreement for BC’s health science professionals will resume at the end of August.

CUPE bargaining committee member Chris Losito said the delay in bargaining is disappointing, especially since HSPBA’s collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012.

“Health science professionals are motivated to continue negotiating in order to achieve a fair and reasonable collective agreement for the 17,000 members of the modern health care team we represent. The entire bargaining committee is extremely disappointed that the employer has ruled out any bargaining dates before the end of the summer,” he said.

HSPBA Chief Negotiator Jeanne Meyers assures members that the union association is continuing to work on behalf of members on a number of fronts. Since bargaining opened on March 6, bargaining committee members have been working to develop detailed proposals on issues important to members, such as detailed proposals to address workload and other workplace safety issues, including improvements to the existing harassment language. As well, the union has been working on education initiatives to promote recruitment and retention, as well as a fair competitive wage proposal.

”The employer has to understand and take responsibility for the effect that understaffing, financial uncertainty, and workload pressures have on our members. If they wonder why our members need protection during periods of illness and disability they should look to their own budget and planning process. We understand that resources have been made scarce by this government. Our members should not be asked to fund health authority deficits by accepting wages and benefits that put them behind their colleagues in other provinces.  That will not lead to the quality of health care that British Columbia want and need,” Meyers said.

Next week, HSPBA will also be involved in a preliminary hearing on a grievance related to a Joint Classification Committee established in 2010 bargaining.  HSPBA strongly asserts that HEABC must not advance any bargaining proposals that are inconsistent with the parties’ 2010 classification-related memoranda. HSPBA says that HEABC has contravened that MOU by taking the benefit of the Interim Modifications and bringing nothing to the table but proposals which it knew the union would find unacceptable, recycled as they were from much earlier rounds of bargaining at which they had been consistently and clearly rejected.

“In fact, HEABC has instead actively sanctioned the reclassification of some HSPBA members to its own advantage, rather than attempt to address those features of the system which no longer reflect current health care delivery,” Meyers said.

In November 2012, an arbitrator will hear the HSPBA’s policy grievance which alleges that HEABC and its member organizations, while implementing interim classification modifications that saw members lose income, have failed to abide by their obligations under the memoranda.   A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week, where the HSPBA will be seeking an interim order that will include restoring the workplace to those conditions that would exist had employers not implemented the interim classification modifications.

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.

CBA UPDATE: Community Health talks to continue over weekend into next week

 

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.

CBA UPDATE: Community Health talks continue

 

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.