An agreement will come into force, which will protect salaries and health benefits, while enlarging seniority rights and retraining for hospital and long-term care staff.

77% of the health-care employees were in favor of a new two-year collective agreement with B. C.’s health companies.

According to the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA), the agreement covers 48,000 workers and offer more alternatives for employees influenced by restructuring and privatization. It represents 11 unions, where 90% are members of the Hospital Employees Union.

The agreement comprises extended seniority rights for instance, there will now be Island-wide seniority rights, enhanced division provisions, and extra retraining funds in order to help relocated workers.

FBA Spokeswoman, Judy Darcy, said that the agreement will offer members concrete ways to guarantee greater conviction and steadiness at a time when the health care system continues to be beaten by budget cuts and reshuffling.

“Despite Government’s restrictive bargaining framework, we made progress on our members’ key bargaining priorities”, says Darcy.

She said that the Health Employers Association of B. C. not only held firm on the Government’s authorization of no-wage increases, but also “exercised incredible control on most of non-monetary areas”.

According to the FBA, the agreement covers around 270 different jobs in every dept. of health care including nursing, health records, information technology, logistics and supply, diagnostic testing, pharmacy, trades and maintenance, dietary, housekeeping, and payrol.