Classifications Update: Policy Grievances and Anomalous Jobs 

Dear Members,  

When the new profile-based classification system was implemented at the end of 2024, the employers designated many jobs as "anomalous/unique". For members working in these jobs, this meant that their classification and rate of pay needed to be determined through discussion between your union and the employers' association. Now that bargaining has concluded, your union is moving forward to ensure that these members' jobs are correctly classified and paid. 

Policy Grievances: Arbitrator Appointed, Hearing Dates Set 

In December 2024, the HSPBA jointly filed three policy grievances on behalf of several hundred members working in three groups of jobs that have been classified by the employer as "anomalous/unique":

• Supervisory/leadership positions with no clearly designated FTEs on the organizational chart. For example, jobs that under the old classification system were called assistant to the lead health science professional or assistant to the section head;

• Multi-profession jobs (jobs that can be performed by members from multiple health science professions, with multiple wage schedules). For example, medical imaging jobs that can be performed by a radiological technologist, an MRI technologist, or a diagnostic medical sonographer; and

• Supervisory/leadership positions who supervise teams made up of multiple health science professions. For example, a supervisor of a community-based team comprised of DASWs, occupational therapists, and recreation therapists.

These grievances are being scheduled for hearing by an arbitrator. Classifications experts believe that this is the best way to ensure that the employer properly classifies and pays members working in these roles. An arbitrator has been appointed, and we can confirm that these policy grievances are going to hearing in June 2027.

If you fall into one of these three groups, please make sure that we have your correct contact information in the BCGEU member portal, as where we are successful at arbitration, you may be entitled to retro pay back to April 1, 2024. To access the member portal, you may need your member ID which can be found at the bottom of every email bulletin you receive (including this one!). 

All Other Anomalous Jobs

There are many members whose jobs have been classified by the employer as "anomalous/unique" that do not fall under the three policy grievances listed above. These jobs must either be matched to profiles or have their salary structures established by separate memoranda of agreement.

Regular meetings of the parties began in the first week of April 2026, to move forward with resolving the question of the profile matches and/or salary structures for all the outstanding anomalous/unique classified jobs.

Given the numbers of anomalous/unique classified jobs, it is hard to know how long the process will take. Undoubtedly, for some of these jobs the parties will reach agreement in the coming months while others will need to be referred to arbitration.

If your job has been classified as anomalous/unique, please ensure that your contact information is up-to-date in the BCGEU member portal. If you feel that you are being paid under the wrong classification or wage schedule, you should also contact your steward to file an individual grievance. If you do not know who your stewards are, please contact your local area office for a list of stewards.

In solidarity,

Mahen Ramdharry, BCGEU Vice-President Health Services 

UWU/MoveUP

Ratification vote: The results are in! 

Dear Members, 
 

The results of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) ratification vote are in: 89.5% of members across all the constituent unions, including 95.1% of BCGEU members, have voted in favour of ratifying a renewed Health Science Professionals collective agreement.

Negotiations with the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC) began last spring, and the tentative agreement was reached on February 20, 2026. 

BCGEU bargaining unit results: 

• Number of eligible voters: 3,633 

• Total votes cast: 2,305 (63.4%)

• Number of votes in favour of ratifying the agreement: 2,191 (95.1%) 

• Number of votes against ratifying the agreement: No 114 (4.9%) 

• Number of spoiled ballots: n/a

Entire bargaining unit (all constituent unions): 

• Number of eligible voters: 25,960 

• Total votes cast: 15,808 (60.9%) 

• Number of votes in favour of ratifying the agreement: 14,147 (89.5%) 

• Number of votes against ratifying the agreement: 1,661 (10.5%) 

• Number of spoiled ballots: n/a

What's in the agreement? 

Going into this round of negotiations, the objective was to build on the wins of the last round, despite the provincial government's significant and growing fiscal constraints. Specifically, members directed us to seek improvements in wages, classifications, work-life balance, recognition and respect, and partnership in quality health care.  
We are pleased to report that this tentative agreement advances us towards these goals. 
 
It provides all members with a 12% pay increase over the terms of the agreement, the maximum allowable under the government's restrictive mandate. In addition, there is significant progress on classifications and improvements to premiums, special leave, isolation allowance, portability, employer-paid professional fees, scheduling, occupational health and safety, and dedicated union stewards. There are substantial funds for professional development and education, a new Cultural Revitalization Fund to support Indigenous employees, an expansion of the Cultural Days of Significance pilot, and a new commitment to end the practice of contracting in or out. 

Comprehensive Report 

Visit the BCGEU HSPBA bargaining hub for complete information about the tentative agreement.

You can find more information about what is in the tentative agreement in the BCGEU comprehensive report. You can find the full text of the agreement in the green sheets here. 

The terms of the new contract take effect immediately unless otherwise indicated. Dates for the delivery of retroactive payment will be determined as quickly as possible and will be announced as soon as they are set. Expect to see an announcement about this in early April. Members are reminded that delivery of retroactive pay is in the hands of the employer, and that timing may vary from one to the next.

Congratulations on another successful round of bargaining.

In solidarity, 

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 

Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson 
Matthew Cook, Local 401 
Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 
Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations

UWU/MoveUP

This is your reminder that your HSPBA telephone town hall is happening tonight at 7PM (PT). You will have the chance to hear directly from your bargaining committee and ask any questions you may have. 

If you’d like to attend, please ensure we have your correct phone number in the BCGEU Member Portal immediately: https://my.bcgeu.ca/signup    

To join the telephone town hall, simply answer your phone when it rings at the beginning of the event. If you have not provided the BCGEU with your telephone number, please do so before 12 PM NOON (PST) Tuesday March 3 by visiting the BCGEU Member Portal: https://my.bcgeu.ca/signup   

You will need to enter your member ID (which can also be found at the bottom of every BCGEU member bulletin you receive, including this one). 

Voting 
The ratification vote for BCGEU members will begin at 10AM (PT) Wednesday, March 4 and will go until 8AM (PT) on Thursday March 12. Your bargaining committee is recommending you vote YES on ratifying this agreement. 

You will receive a ballot in your inbox by 10AM (PST) on March 4. If you need help accessing your ballot, please email [email protected] 

What’s in the agreement? 
Going into this round of negotiations, the objective was to build on the wins of the last round, despite the provincial government’s significant and growing fiscal constraints. Specifically, members directed us to seek improvements in wages, classifications, work-life balance, recognition and respect, and partnership in quality health care. We are pleased to report that this tentative agreement advances us towards these goals. 
 
It provides all members with a 12% pay increase over the terms of the agreement, the maximum allowable under the government’s restrictive mandate. In addition, there is significant progress on classifications and improvements to premiums, special leave, isolation allowance, portability, employer-paid professional fees, scheduling, occupational health and safety, and dedicated union stewards. There are substantial funds for professional development and education, a new Cultural Revitalization Fund to support Indigenous employees, an expansion of the Cultural Days of Significance pilot, and a new commitment to end the practice of contracting in or out. 

Comprehensive Report 
Visit the BCGEU HSPBA bargaining hub for complete information about the tentative agreement, including the  comprehensive report. This report outlines in detail the features of the collective agreement achieved by your negotiating team and includes the specific contract language signed off by the union and employer. 

We look forward to seeing you tonight. 

In solidarity, 

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 
Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson 
Matthew Cook, Local 401 
Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 
Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations   

UWU/MoveUP

Ratification vote information package and telephone town hall

Dear Members,
 

After a year of difficult negotiations between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC), we are pleased to say that your bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement. Now it's time for you to vote on whether to accept that agreement.

We will be holding a ratification vote for BCGEU members from 10AM (PST) Wednesday March 4 until 8AM (PST) on Thursday March 12 and your bargaining committee is recommending you vote YES on ratifying this agreement. 

You will receive a voting ballot in your inbox by 10AM (PST) on March 4. If you need help accessing your ballot, please email [email protected]

What's in the agreement? 

Going into this round of negotiations, the objective was to build on the wins of the last round, despite the provincial government's significant and growing fiscal constraints. Specifically, members directed us to seek improvements in wages, classifications, work-life balance, recognition and respect, and partnership in quality health care.  
We are pleased to report that this tentative agreement advances us towards these goals. 
 
It provides all members with a 12% pay increase over the terms of the agreement, the maximum allowable under the government's restrictive mandate. In addition, there is significant progress on classifications and improvements to premiums, special leave, isolation allowance, portability, employer-paid professional fees, scheduling, occupational health and safety, and dedicated union stewards. There are substantial funds for professional development and education, a new Cultural Revitalization Fund to support Indigenous employees, an expansion of the Cultural Days of Significance pilot, and a new commitment to end the practice of contracting in or out. 
 

Comprehensive Report

Visit the BCGEU HSPBA bargaining hub for complete information about the tentative agreement, including the comprehensive report and greens. This report outlines in detail the features of the collective agreement achieved by your negotiating team and includes the specific contract language signed off by the union and employer.  

Telephone Town Hall – 7PM (PST) March 3 

We will be holding a telephone town hall at 7PM (PST) on Tuesday March 3, where you will have the chance to hear directly from your bargaining committee and ask any questions you may have. 

If you'd like to attend, please ensure we have your correct phone number in the BCGEU Member Portal: https://my.bcgeu.ca/signup

To join the telephone town hall, simply answer your phone when it rings at the beginning of the event. If you have not provided the BCGEU with your telephone number, please do so before 12 PM NOON (PST) Tuesday March 3 by visiting the BCGEU Member Portal: https://my.bcgeu.ca/signup

You will need to enter your Member ID (which can also be found at the bottom of every BCGEU member bulletin you receive, including this one).  

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday. 

In solidarity, 

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 

Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson 
Matthew Cook, Local 401 
Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 
Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations

UWU/MoveUP

Health science professionals reach tentative agreement

Dear Members,  

Your bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement in the early hours of Friday morning, after almost one year of negotiations between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).

You sent us to the bargaining table to make improvements to wages, classifications, work-life balance, recognition and respect, and partnership for quality health care. Despite the province's significant fiscal challenges, this tentative agreement achieves gains in all these areas. It provides general wage increases of 12% over four years, the maximum possible under the government's wage mandate, and equal to that offered other public service professionals in B.C. Gains have also been made in classifications, scheduling, premiums, special leave, occupational health and safety, professional development funding, dedicated steward time, and professional fees. 

Your bargaining committee is unanimously recommending members vote yes to accept the agreement. Members stood shoulder to shoulder to let the government know we would not back down from the priorities set out to improve working conditions, provide more support for the people who keep the health care system running, and ensure better care for the public. 

Complete information about the tentative agreement will be provided to BCGEU members across the province in the coming weeks. This will include an information package for members and a province-wide telephone town hall where members can ask questions.

All members will be given a chance to vote on the tentative agreement in an online ratification vote to be held in a few weeks. Dates will be announced shortly. 

In solidarity, 

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 

Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson 
Matthew Cook, Local 401 
Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 
Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations 

UWU/MoveUP

Bargaining update – progress at the table continues

Members standing together have made all the difference.  

Negotiations resumed this week in response to a significant new commitment from government, one that acknowledges key priorities identified by members. 

This commitment was laid out in a bargaining framework that provides a monetary package equal to that offered to other public service workers in B.C., with wage increases as well as additional dollars for priorities addressing working conditions and service improvements. This includes the need to address professional shortages driving wait times and cancelation of services for the public. 

Your bargaining team is now hard at work to determine how those priorities will be achieved in this contract.    

Members like you have pulled together, standing shoulder to shoulder, bringing us closer to the deal we need. There is a lot of hard work yet to be done, but we believe we are on the path to an agreement that improves working conditions for members, and for the public who depend on their care. 

We will share more information as it becomes available. 

In solidarity, 

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 

Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson 
Matthew Cook, Local 401 
Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 
Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations 

UWU/MoveUP

Health science professionals return to negotiations with government commitment

Contract negotiations on behalf of over 25,000 health science professionals working in BC will resume this week in response to a significant new commitment from government, one that respects key priorities identified by members. 

Members voted 90% in favour of job action in December, and negotiations have been suspended since January 16, when your bargaining committee and the other constituent unions belonging to the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association expressed concern about the lack of progress on member priorities.

Last week, government came forward with a new commitment to address our key priorities in negotiations, including the need to address professional shortages to improve delivery of critical services. 

In light of this progress, your bargaining committee decided to return to the bargaining table. Negotiations are expected to resume this week. 

Updates will be provided as negotiations unfold. 

In solidarity, 

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 

Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson 
Matthew Cook, Local 401 
Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 
Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations 

UWU/MoveUP

On December 18, 2025 your union notified you that the HSPBA achieved a 90.1% strike vote mandate. This constituted a significant mandate from the membership and one you should be proud of. That bulletin can be found here.   

Our union is constantly striving to ensure that our activities are transparent and aligned with our democratic principles. Therefore, we feel compelled to ensure the details of the strike vote are shared with all members.  

The vote totals for the strike vote held in December are as follows: 

This is not the most recent update from the bargaining table. The latest news on bargaining activities can be found here. 

Thank you for your continued activism and acts of solidarity! 

In solidarity, 

Mahen Ramdharry, Vice-President Health Services 

UWU/MoveUP

NEGOTIATIONS SUSPENDED – Job action planning now underway

Dear members,

Your bargaining committee has suspended contract negotiations following three days of talks at which no significant progress was made. 

We are prepared to return to negotiations once the employer is ready to engage in serious discussions on key priorities. Until that happens, the committee sees no value in continuing to meet.

After ten months of negotiations, the employer continues to refuse to offer health science professionals the full monetary package being provided to other public sector workers in B.C. Last month, HSPBA members across five unions gave the bargaining committee an overwhelming mandate to take job action in support of a contact that fixes the problems that are eroding public health care in B.C -- unreasonable workload, chronic shortages, and growing wait times.

Your bargaining committee is disappointed by this lack of progress, frustrated with the unfair treatment of front-line health science professionals, and concerned with how this contributes to the further deterioration of the health care system that our communities depend on. Your committee is hopeful that the employer can make job action unnecessary by engaging in respectful negotiations.
 

WHAT'S NEXT 

Stay tuned for next steps and please pass along any concerns you have to your local steward.

Your BCGEU HSP Bargaining Committee 

Tim Little, Local 404 Bargaining Chairperson

Matthew Cook, Local 401 

Virginie Fostroy, Local 407 

Michelle McAuley, Staff Representative, Negotiations 

P.S. Check that we have your personal email address here https://my.bcgeu.ca/signup and forward this link to any colleagues not receiving updates. 

UWU/MoveUP