Average increase of 10.3% over four years
Vancouver (16 March 2006) - A tentative agreement has been reached between British Columbia’s Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association (PPBA) and the Health Employers Association (HEABC) following intense negotiations.
Highlights of the four-year agreement include:
- Wage increases ranging from 6.9% to 13.1% (compounded) with an average increase of 10.3% over four years;
- A new, cost-shared long term disability plan which will reduce employee-paid premiums by 70%; and
- Signing bonuses of either $2382 or $3670 (pro-rated for part-time and casual employees).
Chief negotiator Ron Ohmart says the tentative deal goes a long way toward meeting the union's key bargaining objectives, including a competitive wage increase and rectifying the wage split imposed by the provincial government in 2001.
"Our members play an essential role in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients," says Ohmart. "This agreement recognizes the skills, training and expertise that they bring to the job and is an important first step in ensuring that B.C. has the health science professionals we need now and in the future."
The proposal covers more than 14,000 health science professionals working in B.C. hospitals and community health facilities, including laboratory and medical imaging technologists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, respiratory therapists and public health inspectors.
The majority of health science professionals are represented by the Health Sciences Association of BC (HSABC/NUPGE). Other unions in the Paramedical Professional Bargaining Association are the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE), Professional Employees Association (PEA), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Hospital Employees' Union (HEU). NUPGE
Further information:
• Rebecca Maurer, (604) 439-0994 or (604) 970-8196
• Miriam Sobrino, (604) 439-0994 or (604) 328-2886
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