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'In a tough round of bargaining, we were able to make progress on key priorities.' - BCGEU president Darryl Walker.
Vancouver (10 Feb. 2010) - A tentative agreement covering 48,000 hospital and long-term care workers has been reached between the multi-union B.C. Facilities Bargaining Association (BCFBA) and B.C.'s health employers.
The association includes the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE), which has about 2,000 members in the sector.
The two-year agreement protects wages and extended health benefits, expands options for workers affected by restructuring and privatization and provides for compensation increases for targeted job categories.
The deal was negotiated against the backdrop of a government freeze on public sector compensation and concluded just weeks prior to a post-Olympic budget that is expected to impose a new round of health budget cuts.
"In a tough round of bargaining, we were able to make progress on key priorities for workers in the sector," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker. "There are a number of job security provisions that will help retain workers affected by contracting out and restructuring."
The agreement covers about 270 different job categories in every area of health care. They include nursing, health records, information technology, logistics and supply, diagnostic testing, pharmacy, trades and maintenance, dietary, housekeeping, payroll and others.
The BCFBA is recommending acceptance to all members. Ratification votes are currently being arranged.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE