[BC_Labour_E-NEWS] March 29

[bc_labour_enews at bcfed.net]

BC LABOUR NEWS NETWORK
Electronic News from the B.C. Federation of Labour
March 29, 2004
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CONTENTS

1> Health Care workers deliver 89 percent strike mandate

Events
1>	Plans underway for Mayday march and concert in Vancouver

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Health Care workers deliver 89 percent strike mandate

1> Health care workers deliver 89 per cent strike mandate

Unions representing 43,000 hospital and long-term care staff will head back
to the bargaining table with a convincing 89 per cent strike mandate in
hand.

The multi-union bargaining association called for the province-wide strike
vote after the Health Employers Association of B.C. tabled a 100-page
package of concession demands and refused to put a hold on layoffs during
negotiations. 

Concessions included wage rollbacks of up to 16 percent, reduced sick leave,
restricted access to long-term disability benefits, vacation leave roll
backs, fewer benefits fro part-time workers and elimination of pay equity.

More than 2,500 pink slips have been issued since bargaining began January
9. Though health employers continued to issue layoff notices during the
March 15 -26 strike vote period, turnout was heavy across the province. 

"This bargaining environment is a disgrace," said B.C. Federation of Labour
Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira. "These workers are the people we depend
on for services when we're least able to look after ourselves."

Schira pledged full support for the province's health care unions in their
struggle for a fair contract.

Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) secretary-business manager Chris Allnutt,
who speaks for the union bargaining association, is urging health employers
to rethink their bargaining strategy.

"Our members are telling health employers in no uncertain terms that they
won't be bullied or intimidated into a contract that contains massive wage
and benefit rollbacks with no employment security," says Allnutt. 

"We'll see if health employers have understood that message when we return
to the bargaining table later this week." 

Both sides have tentatively agreed to meet on Wednesday - the same day the
current contract expires.

The Union Facilities Sub-sector Bargaining Association represents 43,000
workers affected by the contract talks. The HEU represents about 40,000
workers affected by the contract talks. Ten other unions in the bargaining
association represent the remaining 3,000 workers. 

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EVENTS

Mayday

Bring your family, friends and co-workers out to celebrate on May 1.

Join labour and community groups on International Workers' Day in Vancouver.
The B.C. Federation of Labour, the New Westminster and District Labour
Council and the Vancouver and District Labour Council are sponsoring a march
and concert, featuring Shari Ulrich, Bill Henderson and Roy Forbes (UHF) at
the Art Gallery. We will be collecting donations at the concert to help
support women's centres, which are scheduled to lose provincial funding
April 1.

Gather at 11:00 a.m. in the Queen Elizabeth Plaza (Corner of Georgia and
Hamilton streets, in front of the Q.E. theatre). The rally and concert
starts at 1:00 p.m. at the Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver.

Posters and further information will be posted here and available on the
Federation's website shortly.

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