Update on Wage Increases
Publish date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
HSP - Health Science Professionals
HSPBA members are to receive the maximum wage increase this year.
Inflation-protection measures negotiated in the new agreement will trigger a 6.75% increase.
British Columbia inflation data released this week confirms that the maximum wage protections in the new HSPBA collective agreement will be triggered, and members will receive the full 6.75% wage increase starting April 1, 2023.
This brings the total general wage increases for the first two years of the agreement to nearly 11% for most members, with further increases coming in the third year.
The new collective agreement, ratified by members in December, includes a Cost of Living Adjustment that adds a 1.25% pay increase when the average annualized consumer price index for BC remains higher than 5.5% over the twelve months leading up to March 2023. This is on top of the 5.5% pay increase, for a total of 6.75%.
HSPBA is working with HEABC to make sure that members receive both the 2022 and 2023 wage increases (including retroactive payments) as soon as possible, and we will keep you updated when we have more information.
In this section
The PEA was formed in 1974, by a group of professionals working in the public sector. The story goes that the founders of the union mortgaged their houses to fund negotiations of the union’s first collective agreement.
Now, the PEA is BC’s union for professionals. We represent a wide range of professionals including lawyers, foresters, engineers, agrologists, teachers, veterinarians, fundraisers, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists program managers, librarians and more.
Our union is led by the PEA Executive. They represent members from across the chapters of the PEA and set the overall vision and direction for our union.
Resources for our members
Navigating a union can sometime be a challenging process. Under this section of the website you will find resources to help you navigate the PEA. In the members section you'll find expense claim reimbursements, information on the PEA's scholarship and bursary program and our grants and donations program.
Collective bargaining and job action resources explain the process of collective bargaining and what to do in the unlikely event of job action.
Local reps can also find resources to help them complete their job more effectively. This includes ways to welcome new members, how to take notes in investigation disciplinary meetings and more.
The heart of our union
The PEA is made up of nine chapters, or groups of members who either work for the same employer or are in the same field of work. Each chapter has an elected executive tasked with running the affairs of the chapter. Each chapter is entitled to representation at the PEA Executive, the governing body of the union.
Our members work for a range of employers: the Province of BC, the University of Victoria, St. Margaret's School, the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, the Oil and Gas Commission, the Law Society of BC, Legal Services Society, the Okangan Regional Library and health authorities across BC.
Professionals need unions now more then ever
Since the 1970’s, when the PEA was formed, our mission has been to ensure our members can work in safe, productive environments and receive fair and reasonable wages and benefits for the valuable work they do. We help individuals and groups of professional workers to understand the challenges they face in their workplaces and some of the solutions available to them.
We work with potential members to become certified as a union and achieve the wages, benefits and respect they deserve.
