Bargaining for health science professionals set to resume next week
In a short bargaining session at the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association bargaining table this week, the union bargaining association tabled anti-bullying language to address issues in the workplace.
-The unions presented language that helps improve personal safety for health science professionals at work," said HSPBA chief negotiator Jeanne Meyers.
-The pace at the bargaining table has been very slow. There has been only a limited exchange of specific language on the substantive issues," Meyers said.
However, she said, union staff and stewards are working hard at negotiating and setting essential service levels in the event of job action.
-The priority for HSA labour relations staff and stewards for the past several weeks has been to ensure that HSA is fulfilling its obligation to provide essential services in the event of job action in the health care system," she said.
The Health Science Professionals collective agreement expires Saturday, March 31. The terms and conditions of the existing contract will remain in place until such time as a new collective agreement is achieved. Bargaining resumes April 3.
HSPBAs objectives for this round of bargaining, presented at the bargaining table in February, are:
• To optimize the quality of patient and client care
• To properly value the work of health science professionals on the modern health care team
• To end the reliance on employees subsidization of optimal delivery of care, and
• To regain and maintain the competitive edge needed to attract and retain the best and brightest
HSPBA represents 17,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by HSA. Other unions at the table are BCGEU, CUPE, PEA, and HEU.