An agreement has been ratified with health facilities employees on a new two-year contract under the Province's 2010 negotiating framework, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen.
The agreement covers approximately 47,000 unionized workers who provide a variety of services in every area of health care, including nursing, health records, information technology, logistics and supply, diagnostic testing, pharmacy, trades and maintenance, dietary, housekeeping, payroll and more.
"I'm happy the negotiators were able to come to an agreement that supports the sustainability of B.C.'s health-care system and improves service delivery in the sector," said Hansen. "It also recognizes the current fiscal situation and respects the Province's negotiating framework."
The two-year agreement includes no net compensation increases, but recognizes compensation trade-offs, including an adjustment of vacation entitlements, which will be used to increase wages for certain occupations. Union members ratified the agreement March 19, 2010.
"The agreement reached with thousands of health facilities staff is positive news for patients as well as British Columbia's health system," said Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. "Employees are the backbone of the health system and play an important role in ensuring our health system can be sustained for years to come."
Government has already announced its intention to control spending on wages during this round of bargaining. To protect jobs and preserve vital services British Columbians depend on, government does not have any funding for new wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.
"We are very pleased that our members and union partners ratified the agreement and that it was reached with no disruption in service," said Lee Doney, president and chief executive officer of HEABC, the member association that acts as bargaining agent for B.C.'s publicly funded health employers. "We are also hopeful that this new agreement will contribute toward improving service delivery and ensuring the sustainability of B.C.'s health-care system."
More than 200,000 workers are covered by contracts that expire between March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
- BC Government release
