VANCOUVER - A tentative agreement has been reached between the Community Bargaining Association (which includes the CUPE bargaining committee) and the Health Employers' Association of BC.

BURNABY—Talks initiated by the Community Social Services Employer’s Association aimed at reaching an early collective agreement have ended without a deal.

Union bargainers say that employers tabled what was in effect an ultimatum without seriously addressing any of the concerns brought forward by the unions through the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA).

Employers offered no improvements to wages, sick leave, transportation allowance (mileage) and shift premiums.

VANCOUVER – Customer service agents working for Cathay Pacific in Vancouver will be represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), following a December 15 green light from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.

BURNABY—Unions in the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) are concerned that an approach from employers for early talks is already stumbling, and the possibility of an early settlement may not materialize.

The CSSBA responded to an employer offer to explore options that could lead to an early settlement. In the community social services sector compensation has fallen behind that of comparable workers in health care, education and other public services and the sector is experiencing serious recruitment and retention problems.

VANCOUVER—The BC Health Coalition is staging a Friday rally to demand full restoration of funding to HIV/AIDS support services and programs that are facing devastating budget cuts as a result of the Health Ministry’s plan to balance a $90 million deficit in Vancouver Coastal Health’s operating budget.

The future of Community Based Health Organizations (CBHOs), which provide direct HIV/AIDS support services and programs in the Lower Mainland, is in jeopardy.

VANCOUVER – CUPE and other health unions in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) are at the table this week with the Health Employers’ Association of B.C.

VANCOUVER – CUPE BC’s provincial executive, which is meeting in Vancouver, applauded the joint work between school trustees, parents, teachers and staff in response to serious government underfunding.

CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill says that there has been an historic response across the province to the Liberal government’s arrogant and short-sighted cost cutting, with many districts sending joint letters to government about funding problems.

“The harmful impact of cuts and downloaded costs on the education of B.C.

VANCOUVER —Representatives of the BC Ambulance Service agree with ambulance paramedics on one thing – that the provincial model is the only option for a viable and sustainable ambulance service in B.C.

The shared perspective came out at the first day of contract talks held today in Vancouver for a new collective agreement between the BCAS and CUPE 873, Ambulance Paramedics of BC.

On several occasions the provincial Liberal government has alluded to looking into “alternate delivery options for paramedics.”

CUPE 873 served notice on Dec.

CRESTON – Talks are off to a shaky start for a first contract at the Creston & District Public Library. After meeting with the employer for the first time this week, CUPE National Representative Lee-Anne Halifax said the two sides appear to be “miles apart.”

Halifax said the talks for a first contract were held Monday and Tuesday. The Library Association has hired the same “labour consultant” who oversaw the three-month lockout of library workers in Grand Forks.