Health science professionals to strike; walk-out set for Tuesday in Kootenays

The unions representing 14,000 health science professionals served strike notice today.

As a first step, about 475 health science professionals in the Kootenays will withdraw services from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22. Essential services will be maintained. The job action also includes a province-wide ban on overtime. Health science professionals will hold a rally at noon in Nelson to send a message to the Health Employers Association of BC and the new government.

"The employer has told us were not worth what other health care professionals are worth. Our members ... the majority of whom have at least four years post-secondary education training ... know they are just as important as doctors and the nurses in delivering the professional medical services British Columbians count on," Health Sciences Association President Cindy Stewart said.

Rick Lampshire, lead negotiator for the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association, which represents health science professionals including pharmacists, social workers, x-ray technologists, occupational and physical therapists, public health and licensing inspectors, said the bargaining association has been frustrated through four months of talks and mediation.

"Up to now, the employer hasnt had a mandate to bargain an agreement that will help keep highly skilled health care professionals in BC. Our members voted 90 per cent in favour of striking. We have a clear mandate to negotiate a collective agreement that keeps health science professionals on par with other health care professionals in BC," he said.

The Paramedical Bargaining Association represents 14,000 health science professionals in the Health Sciences Association, Canadian Union of Public Employees, BC Government and Services Employees Union, Professional Employees Association, and the Hospital Employees Union.

The collective agreement expired March 31, 2001.

For more information, contact:
Miriam Sobrino, Director of Communications
(604)439-0994 or 328.2886