BC reaches ‘net-zero’ agreement with medical services unions

Agreement reached with health facilities employees.

Ministry of Finance / Ministry of Health Services.

The Facilities Bargaining Association, representing over 47,000 health-care workers, has reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract with the Health Employers Association of B.C., Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced on February 8.

The agreement covers about 270 different jobs 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 pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached under the Province’s negotiating framework,” said Hansen. “Negotiators have worked hard to reach this deal, and I’d like to acknowledge the co-operation and respect shown by the parties involved.”

“By focusing on topics of common interest, we have been able to reach agreement on areas that benefit our valued front-line health workers while maintaining flexibility to responsibly manage our health system,” stated Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon. “This agreement is another example of our commitment as employers and employees to put patient care first.”

The multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association negotiates on behalf of unionized employees with the Health Employers Association of BC. The largest union in this bargaining association is the Hospital Employees’ Union, followed by the BC Government & Service Employees’ Union, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and various other unions.

“This was a challenging round of negotiations for all involved as we worked together to reach an agreement that not only works for employers and our union partners, but that contributes toward improving service delivery and ensuring the sustainability of B.C.’s health-care system,” said Lee Doney, president and CEO of the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC). “Despite a challenging set of economic circumstances, we were able to make progress in a number of important areas and still keep within government’s net-zero bargaining mandate.”

Government has already announced its intention to hold the line on wage increases during this round of bargaining. To protect jobs and preserve vital services British Columbians depend on, government has no funding for new wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.

More than 200,000 public sector workers are covered by contracts that expire between March 31, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010.

Victoria
February 8, 2010
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Health Services
2010FIN0007-000141