Local union activists from health care facilities around northern B.C. are gathering in Prince George tomorrow where they’ll receive an update on collective bargaining from their union’s chief bargaining spokesperson. Chris Allnutt, secretary-business manager of the 46,000 member Hospital Employees’ Union, will tell local union leaders what progress has been made after seven weeks at the bargaining table. HEU’s main contracts expire March 31. Media are invited to the beginning of the session Tuesday morning.
Who: Chris Allnutt, secretary-business manager, Hospital Employees’ Union When: 9:15 a.m. (for approximately 20 minutes) Tuesday, February 27 Where: Room 204/205, Prince George Civic Centre
HEU is bargaining together with other unions representing a total of 60,000 health services and support workers in hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centres, long-term care homes, community agencies and regional health authorities across B.C. The main issues at the bargaining table are:
- wage and benefit parity for community caregivers;
- measures to reduce the skyrocketing on-the-job injury rate in health care;
- higher staffing in long-term care;
- a key initiative on training to address the looming skills shortages in B.C.’s health care system; and
- a fair wage increase.
-30- For more information, contact at 604-734-3431: Mike Old, communications officer, 604-828-6771 (cell)