HEU reaches tentative agreement for nearly 1,100 seniors’ care workers
Posted November 6, 2023 3:02 pm.
The Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) says it has reached a new tentative deal on a five-year collective agreement with Good Samaritan Canada.
The agreement, which was reached Friday after five days of mediation, covers nearly 1,100 health-care workers at seven long-term care facilities across B.C.
Meena Brisard, the union’s secretary and business manager, says the contract includes significant improvements to both compensation and job security.
“Members were clear they wanted a fair compensation package that would support better working conditions and better care for seniors,” Brisard said Monday.
“And thanks to the members’ solidarity and support, and the successful strike actions in October, there now is a tentative agreement with Good Samaritan Canada that goes a long way to deliver on those demands.”
On Oct. 17, the HEU had issued a 72-hour strike notice following the conclusion of essential service negotiations. The HEU took one-day job action on Oct. 20 at two of its locations — Delta View Care Centre in Delta and Pioneer Lodge in Salmon Arm — saying members were fighting for better benefits, sick leave, and working conditions. After this job action, the union says both sides agreed to five days of talks between Oct. 30 and Nov. 3 with a mediator.
The union says workers at the Good Samaritan sites across B.C. have been without a contract for over three-and-a-half years.
HEU members are set to vote on this deal later this month.
