HSA's community health members ratify five-year agreement

Members of the multi-union Community Health Bargaining Association (CBA) – including almost 800 HSA members -- have voted 78.7% in favour of accepting a new collective agreement with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC).

The five-year collective agreement expires on March 31, 2019 and covers over 15,000 union members working in community health across the province.

“BC’s health care system depends on the growing community health sector,” says HSA president Val Avery. “This agreement is an important first step in recognizing the value of community health and the quality care that members in the sector provide for seniors and other British Columbians who rely on home support and other community services. I want to commend the bargaining committee, the stewards and the members who worked so hard to achieve this.”

The agreement provides a guaranteed wage increase for all members of 5.5 percent over the term of the agreement with the possibility of additional wage increases under the Economic Stability Dividend.

Additionally, the new agreement includes wage comparability adjustments totaling 2 per cent over the life of the collective agreement for members with occupations similar to those covered by the facilities subsector agreement.

Other highlights include improvements to health and welfare benefits and maintained provisions on employment security and protection against contracting out.

The CBA is led by BCGEU, and includes workers in community health throughout BC represented by UFCW 1518, HEU, HSA, CUPE and other unions.