Health Care

You take care of people, we take care of you. UFCW 1518 Health Care and Community Social Services members are a critical part of our health care system, offering compassionate care to vulnerable people throughout BC.

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About

At UFCW 1518, we believe that we are stronger together. We are a member-driven union that fights for fair wages and benefits, job security, and workplace safety and respect. We leverage our experience and worker solidarity to negotiate strong contracts that make a positive impact for our members.

As an affiliate member of UFCW Canada and UFCW International, we are part of a movement 1.3 million members strong. We use our voice and the power of our membership to speak up on issues that impact our communities, advocating for a living wage, standing up against discrimination, and fighting for strong workplace protections.

UFCW 1518 Health Care members are beginning the process to bargain a new collective agreement. Learn more about the bargaining process here.

If you are a health care worker and would like to learn more about how joining a union can improve your job, scroll down for more information.

Healthcare Sector Bargaining Units

Bargaining for workers in the healthcare sector differs significantly from other bargaining units in UFCW 1518.

Years ago, numerous contracts existed across the province, with each unit bargaining independently with their employer. However, the government mandated healthcare bargaining into associations, rather than having separate contracts. These associations unify the voices of thousands of healthcare workers, utilizing the collective power of workers around the province to leverage agreements that put workers first.

As a member of UFCW 1518, you fall under one of two bargaining associations: the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) or the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA).

Community Health Sector Workers

Members in community health are employed by the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC). For bargaining purposes, these members are part of an association called the Community Bargaining Association (CBA).

In addition to UFCW 1518, workers in this sector are represented by The British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), the Health Sciences Association (HSA), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the United Steelworkers (USW) and the BC Nurses Union (BCNU).

Community Social Services Workers

Members who are employed by Community Social Services Employers’ Association of BC (CSSEA) are represented by a bargaining association called Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA).

In addition to UFCW 1518, workers in this sector are also represented by The British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU), the Health Sciences Association (HSA), the United Steel Workers (USW), the BC Nurses Union (BCNU), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union (CSWU).

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UFCW 1518 has given me a platform to affect real change not only at work, but also in my community and in government. I have been able to sit across the table with the Minister of Health and tell him why the system is broken and some ideas on fixes from those of us with boots on the ground.

I have taken part in efforts to gain paid sick time, affordable daycare, healthcare improvements, and many more campaigns. I have seen my union fight hard and advocate for members health and safety during a pandemic so that workers at the end of their shifts can go home as healthy and safe as when they headed out the door for work that day.

Linda Wilson

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My union is a really supportive group of people that truly care about us as workers. They are our voice, play a big role in our work life and always fight for our wants and needs. They listening to us whenever we bring an issue to them. They prove they really care about us with their actions, and I appreciate having this union fight for us.

Homa Joon

Objectives

Fair wages


Health care workers deserve fair wages for the professionalism they put into their work. We are seeking pay increases for our members and better compensation for travel time.

Scheduling


Your work schedule affects you and your clients. We are fighting for a better scheduling system that ensures you have enough travel time, rest periods, and adequate time with clients.

Benefits

There’s more to work than just a paycheque. We fight alongside our members for better benefits coverage, guaranteed paid breaks, and better coverage for work-related expenses.

Health & Safety


Nothing is more important than your health. We are working for stronger health & safety protections and better mental health supports for members.

Education & Training

All UFCW 1518 members have access to our Education Month training sessions and WebCampus courses. We also offer many scholarships to members and their dependents.

Myth

Management will know if I signed a union card or voted to join the union.

Fact

Management will never know who signed cards or how you voted – the process is 100% confidential. We will never tolerate retaliation against workers who are in favour of unionizing.

Myth

Union dues are expensive.

Fact

Union dues for new units are no more than 2% of your wages and are 100% tax-deductible. You won’t pay one cent until you vote in your first collective agreement. No benefits, no dues.

Myth

I won’t be able to speak directly with management if we join a union.

Fact

This is not true. The union only steps in when a worker requests help. Union workers have a stronger voice and more respect, ensuring that their concerns are heard.

Myth

Unions just protect lazy workers.

Fact

There are no union contracts requiring an employer to keep lazy or incompetent workers. We protect workers against unjust dismissals and arbitrary discipline.

Myth

If we vote to join the union, I’ll lose the benefits that I have now.

Fact

The union will always fight to keep what you have and add the things that you care about. You will be able to negotiate for more!

Myth

Joining a union will make our work schedules less flexible.

Fact

Scheduling does not have to change if you don’t want it to. We can help negotiate a flexible schedule into a legally binding contract that will not change with new management or owners.

Myth

If we vote to join the union, we will go on strike.

Fact

Strikes are very rare. You have control over strikes through a vote – a majority of your co-workers must be in favour to launch a strike. If that happens, we will provide you with strike pay.

Myth

The company will shut down if we unionize and I’ll lose my job.

Fact

It is illegal to close a workplace because the employees decide to join a union. No successful business will shut down because the workers decide to organize.

News

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Statement on the BC Elections

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Highline Workers Become Largest Group of Farmworkers to Unionize in Canadian History

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Secretary-Treasurer Ronda Melbourne’s Statement on Healthcare Assistant Day

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Workers at Canna Cabana Secure Key Contract Wins After Organizing

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Healthcare Bargaining Conference Unites Members from Across BC

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Labour Day Message from President Patrick Johnson

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UFCW 1518 Welcomes Ronda Melbourne as New Secretary-Treasurer

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FAQ

How will a union make my job better?


Union members have the power of collective bargaining. Rather than negotiating with the employer on your own, you will have the power of the union and your co-workers behind you. Bargaining proposals around wages, benefits, scheduling, and other issues come from the membership, who decide what they will fight for together with the help of union staff.

Once you have voted in your first contract, your union helps to enforce that agreement. We will help you set up a Joint Labour-Management committee so you will have a say in how your workplace is run. We will train your Shop Stewards and Health and Safety Committee Members to solve problems in the workplace and prevent them from escalating. If necessary, we will engage our legal team to protect the integrity of your collective agreement and ensure your employer is following all labour laws.

I’m happy with the way things are now. Why do I need a union?

Securing what you have today into a legally binding contract ensures that what you like about your job stays that way even if there is a change of management and even ownership. Belonging to a union also creates a support network: stewards, union representatives, negotiators and lawyers will be there to ensure you get fair treatment at work.

How do I join a union?

Every British Columbian has the right to join a union. The unionizing process is designed by the government to be 100% confidential. 

Here’s what you need to do to join UFCW 1518:
1) Connect with Us Confidentially
Use our contact form or call us at 1-888-581-1518.

We will get back to you as soon as possible to answer your questions about joining a union.

Know that once you start the process of unionizing, your job is protected by the BC Labour Relations Board.

2) Sign Union Support Cards
Working with staff from our union, you and the majority of your co-workers (45%) sign a support card indicating you would like the BC Labour Relations Board to hold a unionization vote at your workplace.

This process is confidential. Your employer will never have the right to know who did or did not sign. Your employer cannot legally take action against anyone for signing a card.

3) Secret Ballot Vote
When a majority of your co-workers have signed a union card, the BC Labour Relations Board will hold a secret ballot vote to form a union at your workplace.

Vote “Yes” to join the union!