After 29 days of negotiations, the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) have reached agreement on several key non-monetary improvements to the collective agreement that covers more than 23,000 health care workers, including about 1,500 HEU members.
These include:
- improved language on employer-led investigations and disciplinary meetings;
- stronger provisions around health and safety, including health and safety-related workload issues;
- positive gains in the area of workload;
- improvements to temporary and permanent transfer language;
- stewards’ email addresses to be provided to new employees;
- changes to the expedited arbitration process, and
- a commitment to renegotiate local issues after the renewal of main agreements.
The multi-union bargaining committee has also made progress on contract “housekeeping” and formatting changes, as well as updating terminology to better reflect the work and settings of CSSBA members.
There are ongoing discussions on several important items, including technological change, and harassment and bullying language.
Monetary proposals
On October 3, the CSSBA tabled its monetary proposals. This allows CSSEA time to begin reviewing and costing these proposals during a brief scheduled pause in negotiations. Non-monetary talks will resume later this month, followed by monetary negotiations.
In total, 15 additional bargaining dates (12 at the main table, and three for Indigenous Services) are scheduled through the end of November.
HEU is represented on the bargaining team by members David Huespe, Brenda Orencia and Cheryl McLachlan, and staff spokesperson Christina Lloyd-Jones with alternate Shawna Lockhart.
Other public sector bargaining
Bargaining hit an impasse on October 3 at the community health table after the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) – which includes 2,300 HEU members – was unable to make progress with employers on several top priorities identified by the CBA’s 23,000 health care workers.
This does not impact CSSBA members, as they are covered by different contracts.
At the other public sector tables – including facilities, health science professionals, community social services, paramedics, nurses, and B.C.’s K-12 sector – talks are still in progress or set to take place with employers later this fall.
The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and Professional Employees Association (PEA) continue their job action, with more than 25,000 public service workers on strike across more than 127 picket lines throughout the province.
HEU stands in solidarity with BCGEU and PEA, and encourages HEU members to support striking workers by joining their picket lines and respecting them by not crossing.
Again, if an employer insists you cross a picket line, please remember that refusing to cross is not grounds for discipline.
If an employer tries to discipline you, contact a shop steward. If you require further assistance, contact HEU at 1-800-663-5813 and ask to be connected with your staff representative.
Stay informed
To ensure you have the most current and accurate information about contract negotiations, read the public sector bargaining updates on the HEU website.
HEU members are encouraged to keep their contact information updated – heu.org/change-contact-information – to stay informed on the bargaining process.
The Community Social Services Bargaining Association includes BCGEU (the lead), CUPE, HEU (1,500 members), LiUNA, HSA, CLAC, USW, UFCW, and BCNU, covering 23,000 health care workers across the province.