Bargaining between representatives from the nine unions in the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) and Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) reconvened on February 24 and 28.
"Over the past week, talks with the employer association proceeded in a respectful manner as discussions on a comprehensive bargaining agenda to improve public health care got underway,” says FBA lead spokesperson and HEU secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert. “As the B.C. government recognized in last week’s throne speech, there is no greater expression of who we are as Canadians than our universal public health-care system.”
“At the same time, the lieutenant governor’s speech also highlighted how B.C. is feeling the strain of worker shortages and a rising demand for care,” says Bueckert. “That’s why our committee is focused on securing gains that will attract, retain and support frontline health care workers to deliver the best care to B.C. patients, residents and clients.”
Bargaining is set to resume for a new agreement covering more than 60,000 Facilities health care workers across the province on March 5 and 6.
“As talks progress, we will keep members regularly informed and continue coordinating our approach with other public sector unions through the BC Federation of Labour,” says Bueckert.