Tentative agreement reached for HSPBA members

BC’s 25,000 specialized health professionals reached a tentative agreement in the early hours of Friday morning, after almost one year of negotiations between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC). 
 
“Members sent us to the bargaining table to make improvements to wages, classifications, work-life balance, recognition and respect, and partnership for quality health care,” said Jeanne Meyers, lead negotiator for the HSPBA and Executive Director of Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA). 
   
“This tentative agreement achieves gains in all these areas, despite the province’s significant fiscal challenges. It provides general wage increases of 12% over four years, the maximum possible under the government’s wage mandate, and equal to that offered other public service professionals in BC. To address working conditions and service improvements and deal with professional shortages driving wait times and cancelations for the public, gains have also been made in classifications, scheduling, premiums, special leave, occupational health and safety, professional development funding, dedicated steward time and professional fees.” 
  
HSA’s Board of Directors met Friday evening to review the terms of the tentative agreement, and is recommending members vote yes to accept the agreement. 
  
President Sarah Kooner said the bargaining committee has worked very hard to get the best possible deal for health science professionals.
 
“This was a very challenging round of negotiations,” she said. “It was quickly apparent that our members would have to fight hard for every dollar, and that’s what we did.” 
 
“Members stood shoulder to shoulder to let the government know we would not back down from the priorities set out to improve conditions in their worksites, provide more support for the people who keep the health care system running, and ensure better care for the public.”  
  
HSPBA negotiations are led by HSA, which represents over 20,000 health science professionals in BC. Another 5000 health science professionals are represented by four constituent unions: Canadian Union of Public Employees, BC General Employees’ Union, Professional Employees Association, and Hospital Employees' Union.  
  
Complete information about the tentative agreement will be provided to members across the province starting at the end of the coming week. This will include a comprehensive briefing for stewards, an information package for members, worksite discussion meetings, and province-wide telephone town halls at which members can ask questions to the negotiating team.  
 
All members will be given a chance to vote on the tentative agreement in an online ratification vote to be held in a few weeks. Dates will be announced shortly.