A new four-year agreement between British Columbia's roughly 27,000 community health workers and the province has been ratified by union members, with more than 91 per cent voting in favour of the deal.
The Community Bargaining Association, which represents seven unions covering workers in home support, shelters, supportive housing and other operations, says the new deal comes into effect on April 1 and expires on March 31, 2029.
The tentative deal between the unions and the Health Employers Association of British Columbia was announced in February, after the last agreement expired almost a year ago.
The association says the deal includes a three per cent annual wage increase for each year of the deal, as well as improvements in weekend and afternoon premium pay, stronger workplace safety and more predictable scheduling for workers.
BC General Employees' Union, whose members make up 60 per cent of the seven unions represented by the Community Bargaining Association, says the new agreement closes "long-standing pay gaps" with other health workers in the province.
Union vice president Scott De Long says the negotiations were "never just about money," adding that the agreement addresses "care gaps" affecting all British Columbians who rely on health-care services.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
