After a short break, the multi-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) has resumed contract talks with the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) for a renewed collective agreement covering more than 23,000 health care workers, including about 1,500 HEU members. Talks are scheduled this week and next.
The bargaining committee’s goal remains the same: to raise pressing workplace matters with the employers and win real solutions to problems that have plagued the community social services sector for years. The CSSBA negotiating team is firm that a quality community social services contract must address members’ priorities.
The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is the lead negotiator at the CSSBA table, and HEU is represented on the bargaining team by members David Huespe, Brenda Orencia and Cheryl McLachlan, and servicing reps Christina Lloyd-Jones and Shawna Lockhart.
Update on facilities bargaining
There’s currently extensive speculation in the media and on social channels about the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) Framework and other provisions being negotiated.
For example, recent posts incorrectly reported the FBA had accepted the employers’ initial general wage offer of up to 3.5 per cent – an offer the bargaining committee told the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) was unacceptable soon after it was tabled in June.
Public service strike update
In recent weeks, BCGEU launched a public service strike, with rotating job actions and picket lines, across the province. This impacts about 34,000 public service workers.
In addition, licensed professionals covered by the Professional Employees Association (PEA) have also been on the picket lines.
HEU is supporting both unions, and encourages all members to show their solidarity with fellow frontline workers by respecting any picket lines by not crossing them and, where possible, joining striking workers on their lines.
Members covered by the CSSBA collective agreement are not on strike as they are covered by a different contract. As outlined above, the CSSBA bargaining committee is still in negotiations.
However, many community social services workers take clients to appointments with public service workers. If you are taking a client to a “picketing building” to meet with a public service worker – who has been designated essential (and is therefore still reporting to work) – please call the essential worker to meet your client, so that you do not have to cross the picket line and you can wait with your client outside.
The best way to respect a picket line is by not crossing it. If there is a public service picket line set up outside your own work site, do not cross the line.
If an employer insists you cross a picket line, please remember that refusing to cross is not grounds for discipline. If the employer tries to discipline you, contact your shop steward to file a grievance.
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 this page and on the HEU Facebook page.
HEU members are encouraged to keep their contact information updated to stay informed on the bargaining process.