Over the decades, the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) and public health care have weathered many storms and emerged stronger each time.
In the 80 years our union has existed, we have seen federal and provincial governments come and go. Some cutting health spending and privatizing care, while others sustaining and expanding Medicare.
Now, population growth and an aging society are putting an ever-greater demand on workers and public care resources. And the aftershocks of a global pandemic continue to impact health care.
But as we mark this Labour Day, as B.C’s largest and oldest health care union, we also want to acknowledge the many gains made in the past seven years for public health care under the BC NDP.
The repealing of anti-labour legislation that took away key provisions of our health care workers' common collective agreement.
The return of more than 5,000 contracted-out hospital housekeepers, dietary workers and security officers into public health care.
The end of contract flipping -- the practice by some long-term care home operators of firing their entire staff team, then asking them to reapply for their jobs without being able to keep their union, or any of the gains they had made in their last collective agreement.
The hundreds of millions of dollars invested in seniors’ care to enhance the continuity of care for B.C.’s frail seniors, by making worker compensation higher and more equal across the sector.
The six new hospitals underway in B.C., and 17 others being expanded to meet the needs of their communities.
And the more than 38,000 new health care workers hired since 2017. Seven thousand of those hired through the Health Career Access Program, which has eased the way for the training of desperately needed care aides and community health care workers.
Because of these actions by the BC NDP governments of John Horgan and David Eby, we have seen a positive shift in public health care -- both for those in care and for those workers delivering the care.
Looking ahead to the next decade, our more than 60,000 members will continue to be essential to delivering quality care across the province. Whether we are working in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities or in community services, HEU members will keep moving public health care forward!