Wage hike part of tentative contract reached for 46,000 B.C. health-care workers

VANCOUVER – More than 46,000 B.C. health-care workers could be getting a wage boost after their bargaining teams and provincial employers reached a tentative labour agreement.

The multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association says it has reached a two-year proposed settlement after nine months of “difficult” negotiations.

The deal would include an across-the-board wage hike of three per cent, a moratorium on layoffs due to contracting out, and the continuation of benefits.

The association represents workers in publicly-funded hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency health services and health authority corporate offices.

Spokeswoman Bonnie Pearson says the tentative agreement meets the many needs of the very diverse bargaining unit.

Information and ratification meetings will be conducted by the unions over the coming few weeks.