Tentative agreements were reached today at both the Nurses and Community Social Services tables. More details will be provided in the coming days.

Bargaining for a new Provincial Collective Agreement continued this week with negotiators for the Nurses' Bargaining Association and the Health Employers' Association exchanging proposals on a number of issues.

Download full PDF version here

First, the Nurses Bargaining Association would like to congratulate the HEU and the HSA on their tentative collective agreements. Your bargaining committee is analyzing the details of these two collective agreements to understand the improvements in contract language and the financial costing of the packages.

Download full version as PDF

The Nurses Bargaining Association bargaining committee met with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and Health Authority representatives for the past five days (March 6 - 10,2006). The Unions proposed changes to the collective agreement in numerous areas.

Download full text as PDF

In the lead up to provincial bargaining, policy discussions have begun with representatives from all health authorities plus Providence Health Care, Ministry of Health, Health Employers' Association of BC and the Nurses Bargaining Association (BC Nurses Union, Health Sciences Association and Union of Psychiatric Nurses). Participants include BCNU Council members representing nurses in each Health Authority and Providence as well as representation of HSA and UPN.

HSA President Cindy Stewart has written to Premier Gordon Campbell calling on the government to apply the same factors and considerations that led to a 15 per cent wage increase for MLAs to the governments preparations for setting a wage mandate for other public sector workers, including the health care and community social services workers represented by HSA.

HSA is preparing for the next round of contract negotiations between the Nurses' Bargaining Association and the Health Employers Association of B.C. The current provincial collective agreement expires March 31, 2006.

All HSA registered psychiatric nurses will receive a questionnaire in the mail. The survey is designed to identify working conditions and members' bargaining priorities.

Direct employees of health authorities, including all HSA members, will have access to work in the event that HEU members in a first contract dispute with Sodexho erect picket lines. Each of the worksites affected has been designated locations where picketing is allowed, and access is guaranteed to ensure 100 per cent levels of service by direct employees of the health authorities.

HSA today received notice that the Hospital Employees' Union has issued 72-hour strike notice against Sodexho. The parties have been bargaining for a first collective agreement since March 11.

The earliest potential for job action is Thursday, Sept. 15. Because of orders issued by the Labour Relations Board, HSA and other union members will not be affected by picket lines, except that access to the worksite will be through designated entrances.

The provincial agreement between the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) and the Health Employers Association of BC effective April 1, 2004 - March 31, 2006 has been printed and should reach employers by July 18, 2005.

Employers are responsible for ensuring all members working under the contract receive a copy.

If you do not receive a copy of the contract, you may request one through the human resources department or contact at your workplace.