Community Health collective agreement ratified

Workers in Community Health have voted 86% per cent in favour of a two-year contract that provides an across-the-board wage increase, and improved workplace and scheduling provisions.

The agreement comes after one year of difficult negotiations with the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC). Ratification votes were held across the province over the past four weeks.

Highlights include:

• 3% wage increase for all employees (2% upon ratification and 1% April 1, 2013)
• Improved scheduling provisions
• Improved grievance arbitration language
• Respectful workplace provisions
• Elimination of a double probationary period for casuals
• Protection for casuals in the event of retendering

HSA's members in community health work as autism interventionists, child care assistants, and front line advocates for community health centres. They work as preschool teachers, residential care workers, in infant and supported child development, as women's support workers at transition houses, and in mental health and addiction rehabilitation support. They are the frontline caregivers in BC's health care system, providing compassionate, quality care and support to people in their homes and other facilities.

HSA's community health members were represented at the bargaining table by Kate Meier (residential care worker, South Peace Child Development Centre) and Dani Demetlika (Senior Labour Relations Officer.)

The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) represents more than 14,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the BCGEU. Other unions at the table include HSA, UFCW, HEU, CUPE, and USWA.