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Agreements reached with Gitxsan Health Society and Berwick on the Lake
Gitxsan Health Society: BCNU resists concessions, improves working conditions and wages
Following extensive employer delays in a tough round of bargaining the BCNU has signed a tentative agreement with the Gitxsan Health Society in New Hazelton. Two days of intense mediation assisted by Federal mediator John Rooney produced a good agreement for BCNU members. The tentative agreement was ratified by 100% of nurses and will expire on
December 31, 2010.
Highlights of the tentative agreement are:
- Existing hours of work will remain in place until December 31, 2010 at which time working hours will adjust to a cycle of five consecutive days;
- The existing sick time bank has been changed to a Short Term Illness and Injury Plan (STIIP). Under the new STIIP plan members will receive pay amounting to 66 2/3 of their salary which is payable on the seventh day of illness or on the first day of injury or hospitalization. STIIP payments will continue for seventeen weeks until the member moves to Long Term Disability (LTD);
- With the new STIIP plan a sick bank was bargained where full time RN's can accumulate 4 hours per month to a maximum of 49 hours;
- Nurses will receive a one-time payout of 40% on existing sick bank balances;
- Language relating to professional development was improved;
- Mileage allowance for the use of a nurses' own vehicle while on employer business was increased from $.42/km to $.50/km;
- Wage increases for the term of the agreement will be paid as follows:
- January 1, 2007 - 2 percent, retroactive to January 1, 2007;
- January 1, 2008 - 3 percent, retroactive to January 1, 2008;
- January 1, 2009 - 3 percent;
- January 1, 2010 - 4.52 percent.
Berwick on the Lake: BCNU and HEU members vote 100% in favour of new collective agreement.
Ratifying jointly with the Health Employees Union (HEU), BCNU members have unanimously accepted a three year collective agreement that runs from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Highlights of the new agreement are:
- RNs and LPNs will receive Responsibility Pay of $1.00 per hour when assigned to be in charge of the facility;
- Increase in evening shift premiums from $0.75 per hour to $1.00 per hour;
- Family Responsibility Leave increases from 1 day to 2 days per year;
- Sick banks have been increased from 48 to 52 hours in addition to STIIP;
- Improved benefits:
- addition of Dental Plan B for major restorative work up to $1,500.00 per year;
- addition of coverage for eye examinations and increases in existing coverage for prescription glasses;
- the provision of a Blue Net Card;
- Life Insurance increases to 1.5 times annual salary;
- Wage increases for the term of the agreement to be paid as follows:
- January 1, 2008 - 3.5 percent, retroactive to January 1, 2008;
- January 1, 2009 - 3.5 percent;
- January 1, 2010 - 3.0 percent.
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