COMMUNITY HEALTH: HSA Board of Directors recommends rejecting tentative agreement

HSAs board of directors voted this week to recommend rejection of the tentative agreement reached last month in the Community Health Services and Support sector between the bargaining associations lead union, BCGEU, and the provincial government.

The board agreed with HSAs negotiating team representing members in the sector that the agreement asks members to give up too many hard-won benefits.

HSA President Reid Johnson said the board did not make this decision lightly. -This tentative agreement guts Long Term Disability coverage, offers no wage increases, and increases the extended health deductible from $25 to $100 a year," he said. -In exchange, the agreement incorporates a weekend shift premium -- although members typically work Monday through Friday."

Of most concern is the threat to the Long Term Disability plan, Johnson said. -The proposal to decrease the coverage period ... from 24 months to 19 months ... is bad enough. But eliminating pre-existing conditions from coverage is devastating."

HSA members in the Community Health Services and Support sector can expect more details at membership meetings being planned for their facilities, starting February 2. Watch for meeting notices at your site. At these meetings, ballots for a mail-in vote will be distributed, along with a comprehensive report to members.

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Comprehensive Report to HSA members on tentative agreement
Proposed language changes