The HEU Collective Agreement in BC: What You Need to Know
The Hospital Employees` Union (HEU) Collective Agreement is an agreement between the HEU and the BC government that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for unionized healthcare workers in British Columbia, Canada. This agreement covers a wide range of healthcare workers, including care aides, licensed practical nurses, and food service workers, among others.
One of the most important aspects of the HEU Collective Agreement is the wage increases that are negotiated on behalf of workers. The current agreement, which was reached in 2019, provides for a 6.5% wage increase over a three-year period. This means that healthcare workers covered by the agreement will see their wages increase by 2.0%, 2.5%, and 2.0% each year, respectively.
The agreement also includes provisions for benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, and extended health coverage. Workers covered by the agreement are entitled to 30 days of paid vacation per year, as well as up to 18 days of sick leave per year. In addition, the agreement provides for extended health coverage, which includes medical, dental, and vision care.
Another important aspect of the HEU Collective Agreement is job security. The agreement includes provisions that protect workers from layoffs, and provide for seniority-based hiring and promotion. This means that healthcare workers who have been with the employer for a longer period of time are given priority for available positions.
The HEU Collective Agreement also includes provisions for workplace safety and harassment prevention. Workers covered by the agreement are entitled to a safe and healthy work environment, and are protected from discrimination and harassment on the job.
In summary, the HEU Collective Agreement in BC is an important agreement that provides for fair wages, benefits, job security, and workplace safety for healthcare workers in British Columbia. If you are a healthcare worker covered by this agreement, it is important to familiarize yourself with its provisions to ensure that your rights and entitlements are protected.