A second week of bargaining has wrapped up between the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) in Vancouver. Talks are aimed at achieving a new collective agreement for members in community health.
 
The CBA represents roughly 16,000 employees working in community health around B.C. The majority are represented by the BCGEU. Other unions present at the table are UFCW, HEU, CUPE, HSA, USWA, CLAC and BCNU.
 
"We're making progress," said BCGEU Component 8 vice president Scott DeLong. "We've tabled some non-money proposals we hope will correct injury rates in the workplace that continue to be at least three times the provincial average. Other issues we want addressed are recruitment and retention, and precarious work schedules. Both sides are showing commitment to building a stronger community health sector."
 
Your existing collective agreement expires on March 31, 2019.
 
We'll keep you updated on the progress.


In solidarity,
 
Your Community Health Bargaining Committee:
Sussanne Skidmore, Executive Vice President 
Scott DeLong, Component 8 Vice President and Bargaining Committee C-Chair, Vancouver Island Health Authority
Florentina Kelly, Fraser Health Authority
Laurie Proudfoot, Interior Health Authority
Susanne Bellefontaine, Northern Health Authority
MJ Colquhuon, Fraser Health Authority
Darlene Gallant, Vancouver Island Health Authority
Masoud Aminzavvar, Community Health Services
Emily Luther, BCGEU Staff Representative 
Deb Wilson, BCGEU Staff Representative 
Brent Camilleri, BCGEU Coordinator – Negotiations