Despite last-minute amendments to the tentative agreement between the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) and the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC), CUPE’s Health Care Presidents Council continues to recommend members reject the agreement when voting takes place next week.

The Professional Employees Union also continues to recommend that its members reject the tentative agreement.

Your Health Care Presidents Council points out that despite the last-minute amendment to the structure of the proposed benefits trust, there is still an unacceptable level of risk being shifted to you. The Health Sciences Association, which is the lead union in the HSPBA, negotiated the terms of the trust over the objections and opposition of other member unions.  In a previous collective agreement, the HSA agreed—again, despite the objections of other member unions—to participate in the sector’s long-term disability plan.  In the view of the Presidents Council, the HSA has done a poor job and the Council does not have confidence that the HSA’s participation in the benefits trust will meet the needs of members.

If we are able to defeat this sub-standard tentative agreement, we can get back to the bargaining table and negotiate a benefits trust structure that ensures workers don’t have to take on any risk and still delivers the quality benefits services we all depend on.

Read the tentative agreement.

In solidarity,

CUPE Health Care Presidents Council

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