Over than 26,000 community health care workers across the province – including thousands of UFCW 1518 members have ratified a new four-year collective agreement aimed at narrowing long-standing wage gaps and strengthening frontline community care across British Columbia.
The agreement between the member unions of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) was ratified with more than 91 per cent support.
“This agreement represents meaningful progress—not only for community health workers, but for the people across B.C. who rely on the essential care they provide every day” said UFCW 1518 President Patrick Johnson.
The new four-year agreement includes:
Annual wage increases of three per cent in each year
Improved weekend and afternoon premium pay
Strong occupational health and safety protections
Funding for health benefit improvements
A more predictable scheduling system
For UFCW 1518 members, these gains represent more than contract improvements—they are part of a broader effort to strengthen the community health sector and ensure workers are valued for the critical care they provide every day.
Community health workers support people across British Columbia in a wide range of settings, including home support, shelters and supportive housing, mental health services, and community clinics. Their work helps keep people out of hospitals and connected to care in their communities. In late 2024, British Columbians recognized the important work care aids do through UFCW 1518’s Make Homes Possible Campaign. There’s no doubt, the essential service provided by community health workers helps make the lives of families across B.C better.
This new agreement, effective April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2029, is a step toward a more equitable health care system—one where community-based care is properly supported and workers are treated with the fairness they deserve.
UFCW 1518 is proud to stand with its members and partner unions in achieving this progress and will continue advocating for full parity in the years ahead.
