The largest bargaining group representing 67,500 health workers in British Columbia has overwhelmingly voted in favor of a new four-year agreement, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing negotiations.
The agreement, supported by 54.2% of the members, includes wage increases of three per cent annually, addressing key issues such as recruitment, retention, and workplace safety. Notably, the deal also provides for wage comparability adjustments to compensate for the wage cuts imposed in 2004 by the previous government.
Covering a wide range of health-care roles, from care aides to maintenance workers, the agreement is a collaborative effort led by the Hospital Employees’ Union, which represents the majority of workers in the bargaining unit.
Lynn Bueckert, the HEU secretary-business manager and lead negotiator for the Facilities Bargaining Association, expressed the significance of the agreement in addressing staffing shortages and ensuring quality care for patients and residents.
In addition to wage adjustments, the agreement aims to rectify long-standing disparities in pay, providing health care workers with a fair and competitive compensation package. The commitment to ongoing wage adjustments beyond 2029 demonstrates a lasting commitment to supporting workers in the public health sector.