HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014

BY VAL AVERY, PRESIDENT, HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION

Negotiating contracts is a big part of what unions do for their members. But it's not the only thing.

Agreement includes wage adjustments and pay increases

Community social service workers have voted by 85 per cent in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement that includes wage adjustments and increases of up to 11.5 percent over five years.

The new collective agreement will be in effect from April 1, 2014 until March 31, 2019.

Community Living workers ratified the tentative agreement by 83 per cent. General Services ratified by 91 per cent, and Aboriginal Services ratified by 63 per cent.

The Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education Fund Committee is calling for new applications from members working in the community social services sector.

• If you were laid off as of April 1, 2011, have had a reduction in hours and are currently a union member covered by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association Collective Agreement

OR

HOW TO VOTE ON COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACT

All HSA members covered by the Community Social Services Bargaining Association have been mailed an information package via personal email or Canada Post.  Information and voting meetings will be held over the next few weeks, and members are now being contacted with information about where and when they are being held. You can also see the full list below.

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) has reached a tentative agreement for the 11,000 union members working in community-based social services across the province.

The five-year agreement, which would be in place to March 31, 2019, significantly closes the wage gap between workers in this sector and those with equivalent positions in the community health sector.

HSA members gathered in Richmond last week to discuss HSA members’ priorities for bargaining in the Community Social Services sector.

Delegates to the bargaining proposal conference reviewed the bargaining proposals submitted by members through chapter meetings around the province. Improved wages and benefits are the priorities for HSA’s almost 800 members who work under the Community Social Services Bargaining Association collective agreement.

HSA joins other unions across Canada today in recognizing the dedication and professionalism of the workers in community living group homes and day programs, shelters, and supported housing; sexual assault centres, transition houses, and victims' services; infant development programs and child care centres; and the diverse array of programs that provide counselling, rehabilitation, recreation, employment training, outreach, advocacy and referral services.

The week of November 19, HSA will hold bargaining proposal conferences related to the four public sector contracts under which members work.

Local union meetings are being held for members to discuss proposals for consideration at the conferences, which will set the direction for bargaining new collective agreements. The contracts all expire March 31, 2014.

Services for vulnerable families may be cut across B.C. following the government's failure to provide bridge funding for a 1.5 per cent wage increase that was negotiated for frontline workers earlier this year, the Community Social Services Bargaining Association says.

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association, the multi-union bargaining association that represents community social services workers, is working to ensure that all community social service workers receive the wage increase they are entitled to as of April 1, 2013 without any cuts to agency programs or services.