Eight unions representing community health workers across B.C. are taking strike votes after contract negotiations broke down in early October.
Community health workers provide services such as elder care, chronic condition support and recovery at home.
The Community Bargaining Association represents more than 21,000 community health workers in eight unions across the province.
The unions are seeking improved wages and benefits, restored benefit trust funding, greater employee mobility and more stable scheduling in the collective bargaining process.
However, United Food and Commercial Workers Union 1518, which is one of the unions representing the workers, says talks broke down with the employer, Health Employers Association of BC, on Oct. 3, after months of bargaining.
UFCW 1518 says it will be holding the strike vote between Nov. 19 to 21, with all other seven unions scheduled to finalize their votes by Nov. 27.
The other unions involved are the British Columbia General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), the Health Sciences Association (HSA), the United Steel Workers (USW), the BC Nurses Union (BCNU), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union (CSWU).
UFCW 1518 says community health workers often earn less and receive fewer benefits than the more than 50,000 facility-based health care workers across B.C. This includes lacking regular shifts and breaks, receiving less vacation, and no guarantee of maintaining seniority and benefits when moving between health authorities.
“As essential workers, Community Health Workers deserve to be recognized for the work they do – especially for the care they provide to vulnerable people in our communities,” says Patrick Johnson, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) 1518.
“Our members’ main concern is always the welfare of their patients. Given the essential nature of their work, they will not abandon those they care for, nor will the possible job action affect clients requiring essential services. However, the impasse at the bargaining table and the unsatisfactory offer from HEABC have created an untenable situation. These workers and their patients deserve our support.”
Health Employers Association of BC is the association of health authorities in B.C., according to UFCW 1518. CHEK News has reached out to HEABC and will update when a response is received.
Johnson says community health care workers are an essential part of the health care system.
“Many of us will rely on a community health worker at some point – for ourselves, a parent, a partner, or a friend. Fair treatment for these workers means stable, consistent care for the people we love,” Johnson says.
“Their work allows patients who would otherwise end up in overburdened facilities to stay home and for their families to stay afloat, knowing their loved ones are safe and supported at home.”
READ MORE: BCGEU members vote 89 per cent in favour of deal to officially end strike