UFCW 1518 will begin bargaining with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) in order to conclude a new collective agreement with members in community health.

The Community Bargaining Association is the bargaining agent for 16,000 community health workers across British Columbia. UFCW 1518 bargains collectively as part of that association, along with BCGEU, HEU, UFCW 1518, CUPE, HSA and USWA.

The existing contract between UFCW 1518 and HEABC expires on March 31, 2019.

“Starting bargaining well in advance of the expiration of the collective agreement is good for our members,” said President Ivan Limpright. “It gives us enough time to properly address the long-standing issues our members have been experiencing since negotiating the last contract.”

The union has been preparing for negotiations since late last year to identify members’ priorities through the bargaining proposal process. There will also be a conference, held May 6-9 at the Guilford Sheraton in Surrey, to discuss bargaining and review proposals.

Bargaining will commence on May 14, 2018.