Lower Mainland pharmacy services consolidation: talks to resume
Fraser Health Authority and union representatives are set to resume negotiations concerning the employers plans to consolidate hospital and community-based pharmacy services across the Lower Mainland.
The discussions will focus on the development of a labour adjustment plan that deals with issues such as employment transfer and a consolidated seniority list for all pharmacists in the Lower Mainland.
The consolidation plan is expected to affect approximately 425 pharmacists in FHA, VCHA, PHSA and PHC. The employer does not expect any layoffs to result from implementing its consolidation plan. (Note: under the collective agreement, a -layoff" is not the same as a -displacement" from a currently-held position.)
The Health Sciences Association is the lead union representing pharmacists, and has been working with a six-member committee of pharmacists. Pharmacists represented by the Professional Employees Association are also part of the negotiations. The employers pharmacy consolidation process dates back to August 2009.
HSA will be meeting with its members in the coming weeks.