The multi-union Community Health bargaining association (CBA) has accepted an offer from the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) to begin negotiations aimed at concluding a new collective agreement with members in community health. 

The existing contract between the CBA and HEABC expires on March 31, 2019. It covers roughly 16,000 employees working in community health around the province. The BCGEU is the lead union in the CBA, and it represents roughly 16,000 members working in community health around the province, the majority of whom are represented by the BCGEU. Other unions at the table are UFCW, HEU, CUPE, HSA, USWA, CLAC and BCNU.

"We're pleased to begin the bargaining process now," said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "It will give us sufficient time before the expiration of the existing contract to address the long-standing issues we've been raising since we negotiated our last contract."

The BCGEU and the CBA has been preparing for a return to the bargaining table since late last year to identify priorities through member surveys, bargaining meetings and the upcoming BCGEU Community Health bargaining conference, taking place on May 2nd and 3rd. This is all a part of the normal process in the lead up to the agreement's expiry.

Bargaining will commence on May 15, 2018.

We'll post more information as it becomes available.

Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date and correct by visiting: https://my.bcgeu.ca/login. Ask your co-workers to do the same.

UWU/MoveUP