Community Bargaining Association Action Alert
Scheduled strike vote and potential job action may impact workers at several sites
Contract negotiations between the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) – which includes some BCNU members working in some community health settings – and the Health Employers Association of BC have reached an impasse.
CBA members provide critical services across BC, from detox to shelters and home support. These negotiations are separate from the negotiations currently underway for members under the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA). While BCNU actively participates in these negotiations, the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) leads bargaining for the CBA.
Talks between the CBA and health employers have broken down over several issues, including health benefits, overtime, shift scheduling, and parity with other health-care workers in monetary entitlements. The CBA is asking members under the CBA agreement to participate in a strike vote between Monday, Nov. 3 and Monday, Nov. 27.
BCNU members covered by the CBA agreement will receive more specific information to their personal email, including details on how to participate in the strike vote.
Most BCNU members work under the NBA contract and will not be directly impacted by any potential job action. However, NBA members who work at sites where CBA members also work may be impacted. If you work at a shared site with CBA members, in the event of job action, your worksite will move to essential service levels. Most BCNU members who work in long-term care and acute care will not be directly impacted.
In the event of job action, which could take place as early as Nov. 30, BCNU will directly contact any affected members with instructions. Please keep an eye on your email inbox and reach out to your worksite steward or your regional council member if you have questions. If you have opted out of emails from BCNU, please ensure that you opt back in to receive updates.
BCNU members have shown strong support for health-care workers who belong to allied unions, including the BCGEU, HEU, and HSA. With unwavering solidarity from health-care workers and union members across the province, together, we can negotiate strong contracts for all workers in British Columbia.