HSPBA Negotiations Update: Second round of talks complete

Dear PEA members,

The bargaining committee for Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) contract members has wrapped up three days of negotiations with the employer running April 22-25. This is the second round of talks with the employer.

Negotiations first began in March, and at this early stage, talks are focusing on non-monetary priority areas, and we are making progress. More substantive subjects like pay and benefits are usually tackled near the end of the negotiating process, which can take many months, and in extraordinary circumstances, longer than a year.

Given the economic uncertainty caused by the global trade war, we expect the negotiations to proceed slowly in the coming months. The committee is working to achieve a deal as soon as possible, and resolute in our determination to secure terms that recognize the value of your work.

The next round of negotiation meetings is scheduled for May 23-25. We will provide the next update at that time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS

Who is leading the negotiations?
The HSPBA bargaining committee team includes professional negotiators, labour relations specialists, and elected members of the HSA. The committee also consists of representatives from the constituent Unions, such as the BCGEU, HEU, and CUPE. As the HSP Labour Relations Officer, I am the lead negotiator for the PEA chapter.

What are the bargaining committee’s priorities?
Negotiations are guided by input from HSPBA members. HSP members were invited to share their priorities via the bargaining survey. Those submissions were then reviewed and brought forward as proposals along with other HSPBA constituent unions.

Where can I find details about the exact proposals we are tabling and more specific details about how negotiations are going?
By necessity, the details of negotiations must be treated as confidential. I will share as much information as possible through regular messages about developments at the bargaining table. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly at ifarah@pea.org

In solidarity,

Idil Farah
Labour Relations Officer