HSPBA Bargaining Update: Over 100 proposals tabled as fourth round of talks concludes
Progress made on non-monetary issues while keeping a watchful eye on wage offers at other tables
The fourth round of negotiations between the employer and your bargaining association has concluded.
The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) negotiations committee met in talks with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) June 16-20.
With a major ad campaign in support of bargaining efforts targeting elected officials and members of the public across BC, discussions made progress addressing key concerns. The committee has tabled well over 100 proposals relating to four key priority areas:
- wages and premiums;
- safe work-life balance;
- recognition and respect; and
- partnership in quality health care.
HSA members are responding positively to the message and reach of the current ad campaign in support of bargaining, which wraps up on July 6. Your union is planning for a more intensive campaign in the months ahead.
The proposals tabled arise both from priorities identified by HSA members at the Bargaining Proposal Conference held last fall and those brought forward by the constituent unions in the HSPBA.
- Learn more about constituent unions and bargaining associations here
At this early point in our negotiations, we have more work to complete before we can table wage proposals. The committee would like to continue negotiations over the summer, however dates for further talks have not yet been set. We anticipate next steps to include some intensive small group discussions in areas of key concern such as occupational health and safety and classifications.
Although other public sector unions, whose negotiations have been underway since much earlier in the year, have begun to receive initial wage offers, we have not yet begun to discuss wages at the HSPBA table.
Our priorities are clear: wage offers must reflect the rate of inflation in BC, and address the recruitment and retention challenges threatening delivery of health care in BC.
Your committee is resolute in our determination to achieve wage increases that will reflect the gravity of the shortages and the vital importance of the work done by health science professionals.
New Information on Bargaining FAQ Page
Each round of bargaining is unique, and so are the questions that come up.
As this round progresses, your union will continue to add new resources and items on our Frequently-Asked Questions page. These will be based on questions from members like you.
Please visit the page and if you don’t see the information you’re looking for, let us know by sending a message to info [at] hsabc.org.