Health Support Council of Unions

In our previous update, we shared that our committee was able to develop a very comprehensive wage package and presented it to the employers late in the day on December 5, 2024. The wage package included significant monetary increases for all of the classifications and focused on your integral role in the health care team.

Employers still won’t discuss money

Your committee met with the employers on Tuesday, January 28 ,and Wednesday, January 29 where we received no response from the employers on our wage proposal and there was zero discussion on wages. In fact, no monetary provisions were responded to, and the employers said they advised they were unable to discuss them at this point. They are awaiting directive from the recently re-elected Houston government.

Several language issues were discussed but no agreements were made.

Bargaining delayed and interrupted

This process has been very slow and frustrating for your entire committee and we understand your frustration as well. We can’t help but question why the employer has yet to even agree to language provisions and gains that were agreed to in bargaining the other three collective agreements (Nurses, Health Care, and Administrative Professionals Units).

Premier Houston promised to fix healthcare, but not completing collective bargaining for your bargaining unit and not recognizing the vital role your work plays in the health care team fails to fix health care.

As per legislation, we are still in the process of negotiating an essential services plan and that work is still ongoing. That committee has met several times with additional dates scheduled during February. An essential services plan must be in place before a legal strike can be held — if that is required to achieve a fair collective agreement.

Your committee wishes to thank you for your patience and continued support and will continue to work hard on your behalf to conclude the best possible collective agreement.

If you have any questions or concerns about the bargaining process, please contact:

Christian Collins, Local 119              cbj@eastlink.ca

Thomas Schreuer, Local 119            tschreuer@hotmail.com

Raymond Theriault, Local 119          codeman@ns.sympatico.ca

Matthew Walsh, Local 119               mattwalsh11@gmail.com

Gary Slaunwhite, Local 124             garyslaunwhite@hotmail.com