To: All Members, Community Health Bargaining Association (CBA)
The CBA represents more than 15,000 members, the majority of whom are BCGEU members. CUPE represents approximately 600 members in this sector. The other unions represented are UFCW, HEU, HSA and USW.
Section 4 of the MOA established the comparability increases in the current collective agreement and gives approximately 80% of the FTEs (full time equivalents) in the Community Subsector comparability increases of 1% on April 1, 2016, 0.5% on April 1, 2017 and 0.5% on April 1, 2018. These increases will narrow the gap between Community and Facilities jobs doing the same or similar work, and which have comparable benchmarks.
The process of determining which classifications will receive comparability increases is ongoing. The CBA and HEABC were unable to agree on all of the classifications to be included. We were also unable to agree on which Facilities benchmarks were appropriate for nine of the classifications brought forward for possible inclusion. The issue was submitted to arbitrator Vince Ready in mid-December and we have now received his decision.
Ready’s decision only addressed the appropriate benchmarks for the specific classifications. It did not address which classifications would receive the increases. The CBA continues to work with HEABC to reach agreement and implement the comparability increases. While the process was not completed in time for the April 1, 2016 implementation date, the increases once agreed to will be retroactive to the first full pay period after April 1, 2016.
Once agreement between the HEABC and CBA has been reached, we will advise members of which classifications will receive the comparability monies.