Hospital Employees’ Union members voted 89 percent in favour of ratifying the three-year deal reached with B.C.’s public health employers last November. The votes took place between Jan. 21 and Feb. 8.

Nearly 44,000 health care workers represented by the multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) have a new collective agreement that includes important job security, health and safety, and compensation improvements.

The new contract includes general wage increases of six percent. Entry level wages will be raised by phasing out lower steps in the wage grid. A number of shift premiums have also been improved.

The agreement runs from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022.

The agreement helps this provincial organization focus on occupational health and safety in health care by providing $8.5 million over the next three years.

Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) secretary-business manager Jennifer Whiteside, the unions’ chief negotiator, says the agreement tackles health and safety issues and restores contracting-out protections stripped by the former B.C. Liberal government in 2002.

“After 16 years of privatization and unstable workplaces, we have an opportunity to strengthen services to the public by improving working and caring conditions of our members,” said Whiteside.

The agreement covers workers in hospitals, long-term care, corporate offices, supply warehouses, and health clinics.