Labour News

Unionized workers at Save-On-Foods and Overwaitea Stores voted over 94 percent in favour of strike action. These are members of the United Food and Commerical Workers Union (UFCW Local 1518). The union says wages and pensions are major issues and workers aren't willing to accept roll-back demands. On April 8th UFCW workers at Safeway Stores voted 99 percent in favour of a strike. Negotiations continue.

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HEU happy with latest Bill 29 moves 4/15/2008. CKNW The Provincial Government has moved to make its controversial Bill 29 legal once again. That Bill allowed the Liberals to privatize thousands of health care support jobs without the consent of health unions. Health Minister George Abbott, "The net effect is, those portions of Bill 29 and Bill 94, which the Supreme Court frowned upon, have been essentially removed from those Statutes." The Hospital Employees Union says nine-thousand workers lost their jobs as a result of Bill 29, and calls today's Bill a vindication.

Background

On January 28, 2002 Bill 29 was passed by the B.C. legislature. B.C.’s health unions challenged the constitutionality of the legislation in a five-year court battle.

9,000 workers lost their jobs and more than $750 million in health services were privatized.

On June 8, 2007 The Supreme Court of Canada handed down its’ ruling and gave the B.C. government one-year to deal with the repercussions.
The BC government agreed on a $75 million settlement package reached with the multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association (representing 40,000 workers in B.C. hospitals and long-term care facilities). This includes a $70 million compensation and training package for workers impacted by Bill 29.