Yesterday, the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) signed a Letter of Understanding with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) outlining how the government’s lifting of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers will impact members terminated for not being vaccinated.
On July 26, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that the Public Health Emergency and related-orders, including the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers, had been lifted, effective immediately.
In the Letter of Understanding, terminated FBA members – who are rehired by their former employer into either their previous position or hired into a comparable vacancy, or are added to the casual registry – will have their seniority recognized, including the time of termination, as if they were on an unpaid leave.
Their continuous service, in place at the time of termination, which is used to calculate severance allowance (Article 43) and vacation entitlements (Article 28) will also be recognized as if they had been on unpaid leave.
Any sick leave banks held prior to termination (Article 31) not paid out under Article 31.11, will be reinstated, as will special leave banks held prior to termination (Article 30).
Terminated FBA members who apply for a position, including casual registry, at a different FBA employer will be entitled to port the above benefits as well.
These provisions will be in place for six months, ending on January 27, 2025.
The union is still in discussions on how this impacts outstanding grievances, as well as other bargaining units, like community health, community social services, and affiliates.
The union will be reaching out to health authorities to facilitate implementation of this agreement.
Any disputes arising from this agreement will be referred to Arbitrator Jacquie de Aguayo for mediation.
HEU will provide ongoing updates here on our website.