Many HSA members to receive additional pay increase

Starting with the first pay period after February 1, 2016, most HSA members can expect a pay hike of 0.45% over and above the 5.5% increase rolling out over the life of the current contract.

This increase is the result of the Economic Stability Dividend, a feature of the current agreement which requires the government to increase negotiated wages as a portion of provincial economic growth when it exceeds official forecasts.

In order to activate the ESD, growth for British Columbia must exceed forecasts set by the independent Economic Forecast Council at the start of the fiscal year. The wage increase is calculated based on 50% of any positive difference between the forecast and the November GDP data released by Statistics Canada. Earlier this month Statistics Canada reported that in 2014 the B.C. economy grew by 3.2%, exceeding the forecast provided by the Economic Forecast Council of 2.3%.

In 2017, members could see a second ESD wage increase should the BC economy outperform economic forecasting for 2015.

The ESD will benefit all members covered by the Health Science Professionals, the Community Social Services and the Community Bargaining agreements. HSA is currently examining wage grids provided by Health Employers Association of BC specific to HSPBA members and will provide these as soon as the numbers are confirmed for accuracy. Lead unions for the CCSEA and CBA agreements will be providing the same to members covered by these agreements.