First Nations Health Authority Bargaining Update

The Local 22000 bargaining team, comprised of Devin Bagri, Dan Ferguson, Audrey Henry, PSAC negotiator Seth Sazant, and PSAC research officer Darren Pacione, supported by PSAC regional representative Monica Urrutia, met with the employer the week of April 2 to begin negotiating a renewal of the collective agreement.

Based on the input received from the membership, the team tabled a full list of proposals to provide a fair and strong collective agreement. Key elements of the union’s proposals include:

  • A fair economic increase for everyone in the bargaining unit – the team are seeking the pattern of settlements in the BC public sector
  • Increases in vacation leave to match what other employers in the BC health sector provide
  • Language to ensure that the employer cannot unreasonably deny a request to work remotely
  • Improvements to health benefits
  • Changes to staffing to give more opportunities to FNHA employees and to treat term and acting employees fairly
  • An expansion of the definition of family for bereavement leave
  • Improvements to severance pay to match what other employers in the BC Health Sector provide

At this first meeting, the team got a very general sense of what the employer is proposing and expect to hear back from the employer on non-monetary proposals at the next meeting.

The team will be meeting with the employer in mid-May to continue the process. Members working at FNHA are encouraged to to stay informed and to talk with any team member if they have questions.

Approximately 120 members of PSAC Local 22000 work at FNHA, supporting their mandate to plan, design, manage, deliver and fund the delivery of First Nations Health Programs in British Columbia and to carry out other health and wellness related functions to First Nations communities and citizens across the province.