Health science professionals begin bargaining

Health science professionals began bargaining this week. Like all other sectors that are bargaining this year, they face some serious challenges.

The government's zero mandate on wage increases is making it hard for all sectors to negotiate to get the improvements that they need in their agreements.

Like many other areas in health care, the health science professionals sector faces recruitment and retention problems. The jobs that health science professionals do - from technologists and technicians to specialized therapists and more - require extensive education and training. There is less and less incentive for young people to start careers in the sector as the government signals that they have no intention of compensating them fairly. And as wages and benefits fall below those of nearby jurisdictions, it's impossible to retain trained professionals.

But this round of negotiations for health science professionals is starting out with a positive tone. The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) delivered proposals this week aimed at addressing some of these recruitment and retention problems and finding ways to make the system work better for British Columbians who rely on these important services.

We'll see how government responds to these problems and the HSPBA's proactive proposals to address them.