PSAC Local 22000 ratifies agreement with First Nations Health Authority

PSAC is proud to announce that members of PSAC Local 22000 have ratified their first negotiated collective agreement with the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.

PSAC members transferred from Health Canada to the First Nations Health Authority in October 2013. In January 2014 a new directly chartered local, PSAC Local No.22000, was certified by the BC Labour Relations Board as the bargaining agent for FNHA employees directly delivering programs to First Nations beneficiaries or directly supporting the delivery of programs. As part of the negotiation process the Treasury Board PA and TC collective agreements were melded into one agreement to cover all PSAC members in the unit.

The term of the new collective agreement is April 2014 – March 2017.

Some of the highlights:

• National Aboriginal Day is a new day off with pay for all employees, should it coincide with a regular scheduled work day
• A new MOU outlining a First Nations Voluntary Dispute Resolution Process
• New Job posting language that outlines procedure & format for a fair process
• Casual and term employees are now covered by the collective agreement; casual employees will receive a 10.5 % premium in lieu of designated paid holidays and vacation
• A 3.3% wage increase over 3 years

“I want to thank the bargaining team for their hard work and the members for their unwavering support.” said Bob Jackson, PSAC Regional Executive Vice President for BC, “I know that melding the two collective agreements that were in place was a time-consuming and at times difficult job - members should be proud of their solidarity and hard work and can look forward to a contract that enhances working conditions and recognizes aboriginal culture and heritage.”