HSPBA Bargaining Update: Work continues through summer 

Small group discussions focus on key issues 

Your HSPBA bargaining committee is continuing work over the summer through in-depth small-group discussions on priority areas including classifications and occupational health and safety, as well as on Indigenous Specific Anti-Racism (ISAR).  
 
At the close of the last round of discussions with the employer in late June, the committee had tabled over 100 proposals addressing the leading issues identified by HSA members at the bargaining proposal conference held last fall and those brought forward by the constituent unions in the HSPBA. Further talks with the employer are expected to resume in the fall. 
 
Specific wage increase proposals have not been tabled during the HSPBA discussions, and we do not expect to reach that stage of negotiations until the fall. HSA joins other BC public sector unions in expressing concern that the initial wage increases offered at the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) main table negotiations are far from sufficient. The professional shortages affecting health care and other critical public services require wage increases that deal with the ongoing affordability crisis in BC. That’s what HSA members have instructed the committee to achieve, and that’s what your committee is dedicated to doing. 
 
BCGEU to hold strike vote
 
HSA members may be aware that the BCGEU main table, which began their bargaining process almost seven months ago, has just announced they have reached an impasse in their negotiations. The BCGEU says that they and the employer are too far apart on key issues, especially wages. They expect to hold a strike vote for all affected BCGEU members by mid/late August. 
 
The HSPBA bargaining committee is watching these developments closely, but we note that most HSA members are not directly affected by the BCGEU strike vote or any job action that may result. HSA respects all picket lines, and the union will work to let you know in advance about any BCGEU job action that could affect HSA members at their worksites. Remember, if you encounter a picket line, do not cross, and alert your steward. 
 
New resources

• If you’ve got questions about job action, check out the new FAQs on what job action is, why unions engage it in, and how it affects you.
• Contract negotiation can be a long and complex process, so we made an infographic to help members like you see where we are currently at.
• Stewards: stay tuned for updates to the Job Action Manual, which provides everything you ever wanted to know about helping your colleagues exercise this fundamental right.