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Community health bargaining resumes Jan. 7 in B.C.

“Our members deserve a collective agreement that reflects the true value of their services to the people they support in the community.” - BCGEU Treasurer Stephanie Smith.

Vancouver (04 Jan. 2013) — Bargaining for members working in the community health sector will resume on January 7 following a break over the holidays.

"Members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) who work in community health have been at the table for a year now. We have made some progress on the non-monetary issues but we are frustrated that talks have now stalled over wages and benefits," says BCGEU Treasurer Stephanie Smith. “Our members deserve a collective agreement that reflects the true value of their services to the people they support in the community.”

There will be no job action this week, but if an agreement cannot be reached by January 11, rotating strike action will continue starting as early as January 14. Workers will be contacted through their stewards or local executive if their workplace is a target for job action.

Workers in community health have been without a contract since March 31,2012 and are among the lowest paid in the public sector. They are the frontline caregivers in B.C.'s health care system, providing compassionate, quality care and support to people in their homes and other facilities.

The bargaining association represents more than 14,000 members, the majority of whom are represented by the BCGEU/NUPGE. Other unions at the table are the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Health Sciences Association of B.C. (HSABC/NUPGE) and the United Steelworkers (USW).

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE