Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. health workers, employers ratify contract

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Oct, 2022 03:21 PM
  • B.C. health workers, employers ratify contract

VICTORIA - Unions representing care aides, lab assistants and cleaning staff have reached a new labour agreement with health employers in B.C.

The B.C. government says in a statement the Facilities Bargaining Association, which represents about 60,000 people delivering health services throughout the province, has ratified a new contract.

It says the nine-union association is led by the Hospital Employees' Union, which represents about 93 per cent of the health workers covered by the agreement.

Other workers in the unit include health records clerks, dietary staff, nursing unit assistants and trade and maintenance workers.

The new three-year contract will see wages increase by 3.24 per cent in the first year, 5.5 per cent in the second and two per cent in the third.

Additionally, the first year will see a flat 25-cent hourly pay increase and the next two years could see cost-of-living adjustments to a maximum 6.75 per cent and three per cent, respectively.

Other parts of the deal include advancing anti-racism initiatives with an Indigenous focus, preserving flexibility and working together on recruitment and retention strategies.

"These negotiations are focused on providing a fair and reasonable offer to public-sector workers that includes significant inflation protection, while ensuring that government has the resources to continue to invest in building a stronger province for everyone," the government says in a statement.

MORE National ARTICLES

Temporary EI measures set to expire before reform

Temporary EI measures set to expire before reform
Workers applying for employment insurance benefits will have to qualify based on pre-pandemic rules starting Sunday, when temporary measures are set to expire. The Liberal government has pledged to reform EI and address gaps in the program, but temporary measures that were put in place during the pandemic will expire before any reform is implemented.

Temporary EI measures set to expire before reform

'Volatile' patient arrested at B.C. hospital

'Volatile' patient arrested at B.C. hospital
Vancouver Police say an investigation is underway after a patient allegedly armed with a knife chased a doctor at BC Women's Hospital and tried to access a locked nursery as staff hid to protect themselves. Sgt. Steve Addison says he has listened to chilling 911 calls from staff and social workers fearful of the volatile woman, whose child is also a patient at the hospital. 

'Volatile' patient arrested at B.C. hospital

Japanese Yakuza link in B.C. drug bust: RCMP

Japanese Yakuza link in B.C. drug bust: RCMP
A statement from the RCMP's federal serious and organized crime team says the investigation began in August 2019, when the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a 12-kilogram shipment of methamphetamine destined for Japan.

Japanese Yakuza link in B.C. drug bust: RCMP

Charges laid in March 2022 Langley homicide

Charges laid in March 2022 Langley homicide
Following a six-month investigation, IHIT investigators identified Justin Bos as a suspect in the homicide of Mr. Mostat. On September 21, 2022, Bos was arrested by IHIT for the murder and charged with second degree murder of Cody Mostat.   

Charges laid in March 2022 Langley homicide

Merritt, B.C., to pilot four-day work week

Merritt, B.C., to pilot four-day work week
Merritt’s chief administrative officer says the one-year trial, approved by council on Tuesday, will see city hall closed on Mondays, with operational hours extended Tuesday through Friday to 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., an extra hour and 45 minutes each day.

Merritt, B.C., to pilot four-day work week

Canada lifting COVID-19 border rules Sept. 30

Canada lifting COVID-19 border rules Sept. 30
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed to let a cabinet order enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the Canadian border expire at the end of this month. The change will also bring an end to COVID-19 border testing, which is currently mandatory for unvaccinated international travellers and random for those who are vaccinated.

Canada lifting COVID-19 border rules Sept. 30