We’ve recently reached a settlement to ensure that members do not have to repay money given in error in past years.

Interior Health Authority (IHA) decided a number of years ago to audit their payroll and benefits systems. They discovered what they believed was a huge amount of money owing to them by their employees.  This included members of all unions and bargaining associations.

IHA began to send out grievance letters to employees demanding payment, but never advanced any claims to arbitration or withdrew their demands if they had no grounds to proceed. The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) filed a policy grievance claiming that the employer could not use the grievance process, that the claims were out of time and that the money being claimed for benefit premiums repayment was not owed according to the collective agreement.  IHA had been continuing benefit coverage after 20 days' absence without employees' permission and then billing them on their return to work.

The CBA reached a settlement with the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) on Friday, March 3, 2017 that provides that:

1. There will be no collection of any debts that occurred prior to January 1, 2017.
2. However employees are not entitled to monies already paid.
3. The employer will withdraw any outstanding grievances and all employees will receive a letter from the employer in the payroll period following March 3, 2017 confirming that they do not owe any money.
4. The employer will only pursue repayment through a new expedited arbitration process.
5. The employer will only bill employees for benefit costs if they have stated in writing that they wish to continue their benefits when they are away for more than 20 days.
6. People who do not provide written confirmation that they want to maintain their benefits and pay their share and the employer's share will have their benefits suspended and will not be billed by IHA for the premiums.  Their benefits will be reinstated on their return.

We’ve recently reached a settlement to ensure that members do not have to repay money given in error in past years.

Interior Health Authority (IHA) decided a number of years ago to audit their payroll and benefits systems. They discovered what they believed was a huge amount of money owing to them by their employees.  This included members of all unions and bargaining associations.

IHA began to send out grievance letters to employees demanding payment, but never advanced any claims to arbitration or withdrew their demands if they had no grounds to proceed. The Community Bargaining Association (CBA) filed a policy grievance claiming that the employer could not use the grievance process, that the claims were out of time and that the money being claimed for benefit premiums repayment was not owed according to the collective agreement.  IHA had been continuing benefit coverage after 20 days' absence without employees' permission and then billing them on their return to work.

The CBA reached a settlement with the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) on Friday, March 3, 2017 that provides that:

1. There will be no collection of any debts that occurred prior to January 1, 2017.
2. However employees are not entitled to monies already paid.
3. The employer will withdraw any outstanding grievances and all employees will receive a letter from the employer in the payroll period following March 3, 2017 confirming that they do not owe any money.
4. The employer will only pursue repayment through a new expedited arbitration process.
5. The employer will only bill employees for benefit costs if they have stated in writing that they wish to continue their benefits when they are away for more than 20 days.
6. People who do not provide written confirmation that they want to maintain their benefits and pay their share and the employer's share will have their benefits suspended and will not be billed by IHA for the premiums.  Their benefits will be reinstated on their return.