CBA bargaining committee concerned with initial wage offering, lack of progress on priorities

The latest round of discussions wrapped last week on July 9.

To date, your Community Bargaining Association bargaining committee has spent 19 days at the table with Health Employers Association of BC, and we are frustrated with the lack of progress. We do not believe any meaningful momentum will be achieved during our remaining dates in July. Therefore, we have cancelled the remaining five days in July and informed HEABC that we will have to reconvene in September and October. In the interim, we’d like to hear from members like you. Stay tuned for more information about opportunities to engage with your committee before the next round of talks begins.

Our goal is to make progress on the priorities identified by members like you – this includes improved overtime language, greater mobility between employers, and having language equal to workers covered under the Facilities Bargaining Association. 

In late June, HEABC tabled monetary proposals, including wages and low compensation redress. This included a proposed two-year agreement with the following General Wage Increase (GWI):

Year 1: The employer proposed two options for year one of the GWI:

Option A

• April 1, 2025: increase rates of pay by 0.5% plus $0.15 per hour
• October 1, 2025: increase rates of pay by 0.5% plus $0.15 per hour

Option B

• April 1, 2025: increase rates of pay by 0.75%
• October 1, 2025: increase rates of pay by 0.75%

Year 2:

April 1, 2026: increase rates of pay by 1.0%

October 1, 2026: increase rates of pay by 1.0%

We are highly concerned that these initial offerings fall short of what is needed to address member priorities on recruitment, retention and the rising cost of living. We have reiterated to the employer that any path to a tentative agreement must include a monetary offer that meaningfully addresses the affordability crisis facing community health workers. Know that your resolve and support are the key ingredients in achieving a positive result at the bargaining table, especially as it relates to non-monetary language and your rights under the collective agreement.  

Further updates to come.