VANCOUVER—Health science professionals have voted 83 percent in favour of accepting a new contract that includes wage increases totaling three percent, and protects the wages of hospital pharmacists who were threatened with wage rollbacks of up to 14 percent. The agreement was reached between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC.)

The agreement includes wage increases totaling three percent, and makes permanent a market adjustment of between 9 and 14 percent for pharmacists.

VANCOUVER—Workers in Community Health have voted 86 percent in favour of a two-year contract that provides an across the board wage increase, and improved workplace and scheduling provisions.

The agreement comes after one year of difficult negotiations with the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC). Ratification votes were held across the province over the past four weeks.

Highlights include:

VANCOUVER - After almost a year of bargaining for a new contract, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) has reached a tentative agreement for nearly 17,000 health science professionals working in hospitals and communities across British Columbia.

“In a very difficult bargaining climate we have reached a tentative agreement which reflects the important work CUPE health care professional do. This agreement will allow members to continue to provide quality health care services to British Columbians,” said CUPE bargaining committee member Chris Losito.

Mediator Vince Ready facilitated resumption of discussions between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) last week.

CUPE bargaining committee member, Chris Losito, said the two days of discussion last week were productive.

“We stepped away from negotiations last December to take time to hear from our members so they could give input to the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Committee on the direction they wanted to go.

VANCOUVER—The multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC).

The two-year proposed agreement covers over 14,000 workers in community health, and comes after one year of difficult negotiations. The agreement achieves our members' key priorities including an across the board wage increase while protecting health and welfare benefits. Highlights include:

•    3% wage increase for all employees (2% upon ratification and 1% April 1st)

VANCOUVER-- Community Health Bargaining will reconvene on Monday, January 7 in Vancouver following a break over the holidays.

“CUPE community health workers have now been at the bargaining table for a year. Some progress has been made on non-monetary issues but we are frustrated that talks have now been stalled over wages and benefits,” said Pat Taylor, CUPE bargaining committee member. “It’s time for a fair and reasonable agreement for community health workers- one which reflects the true value of the services they deliver to their communities.”

Vancouver— The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) has called off rotating strikes planned for this week.

Following three round-the-clock days of talks mediated by veteran labour mediator Vince Ready, the government tabled a proposal just before midnight Saturday for a wage increase and massive concessions.

VANCOUVER - Health science professionals began rotating strikes yesterday to put pressure on government to get serious about bargaining a new collective agreement with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA).

Yesterday pharmacists reduced services to essential services only, while today public health inspectors and licensing officers are reducing their services to essential services only.

VANCOUVER—Community Health bargaining will pause for the holiday season, but is scheduled to resume January 7, 2013.

VANCOUVER—After nine months of bargaining health science professionals are frustrated with the lack of progress in bargaining and lack of willingness from the employer to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement.