After months of bargaining, the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the provincial government have failed to bring meaningful proposals to the table. They have left us no choice but to take the next step together.
Your CBA bargaining committee has decided to call a Strike Authorization Vote, taking place Wednesday, November 19 AT 9 AM PST to Friday, November 21 at 12 PM PST.
Check here for updates!
Dear Members,
The CBA Strike Authorization Vote is now closed.
I want to thank everyone who participated, attended an info session, and supported each other throughout this process. Your engagement strengthens our collective voice in bargaining.
Because community health bargaining takes place through the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) — the group of unions that negotiate this agreement together — each union runs its own strike authorization vote. Once all unions have completed their voting processes, the results are brought together to determine the final CBA-wide outcome.
We expect to share the confirmed results with all CBA members on November 27.
What Happens Next
If the overall result is “Yes,” this does not automatically mean there will be a strike. A strike authorization vote gives your bargaining committee the ability to apply pressure if needed.
After the results are released, I will update you on what this means for our bargaining position and outline the next steps in the process. We will continue pushing for a fair deal and keeping you informed every step of the way.
Our Campaign: Make Home Possible
While bargaining continues, we are also lifting up the essential work Community Health Workers do every day through our new Make Home Possible campaign.
This campaign highlights how CHWs make it possible for seniors and vulnerable people to remain safely in their homes — work that is often unseen but absolutely vital in communities across BC. We’ve already received powerful stories from families and community members, and we’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks.
If you’d like to learn more or share the campaign with your networks, you can visit: makehomepossible.ca
Thank you again for your solidarity, your dedication to your clients, and the vital care you provide across the province. I will keep you informed as soon as the CBA-wide results are confirmed and next steps are known.
In solidarity,
Patrick Johnson
President, UFCW 1518
Dear Members,
Ahead of the upcoming CBA Strike Authorization Vote (November 19–21), your bargaining committee is hosting a series of info sessions to ensure members have all the facts before casting your vote.
These sessions are your opportunity to:
Hear the latest updates from the bargaining table
Ask questions directly to your committee
Understand why this vote matters — even though it doesn’t necessarily mean we will go on strike
We strongly encourage all members to attend a session.
Please note: there will be no book offs for these info sessions.
🖥️ Zoom Info Sessions
Please register by clicking the links below to receive the zoom login information
• Wednesday, Nov 12 at 6 pm PST – Register ➜
• Thursday, Nov 13 at 4:30 pm PST – Register ➜
🏢 In-Person Sessions – Lower Mainland
Please register by clicking the links below.
Location: Executive Plaza & Suites Hotels Metro Vancouver 405 North Road, Coquitlam.
• Monday, Nov 17 at 2–4 pm PST – Register ➜
• Monday, Nov 17 at 5:30–7 pm PST – Register ➜
Complimentary Parking: Please register your license plate at the UFCW 1518 registration desk located outside the meeting room
📞 Telephone Townhall
• Wednesday, Nov 19 at 5:30 PM – We’ll call you!
If someone is not getting our emails — or is receiving them at a work address — ask them to update their personal email by contacting reception@ufcw1518.com or completing this quick form: https://tinyurl.com/4shskjbe
In solidarity,
Patrick Johnson
President, UFCW 1518
on behalf of our CBA Bargaining Committee
Connie Samuels (Cowichan Home Support)
Linda Wilson (Port Alberni Home Support)
Eleanor Smith (Penticton Home Support)
Dear Members,
At our recent Healthcare Bargaining Telephone Town Hall, I spoke about what’s at stake for community health workers in this round of negotiations: fairness, respect, and the recognition you deserve for the vital work you do every day.
After months of bargaining, the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the provincial government have failed to bring meaningful proposals to the table. They have left us no choice but to take the next step together.
Your CBA bargaining committee has decided to call a Strike Authorization Vote, taking place Wednesday, November 19 AT 9 AM PST to Friday, November 21 at 12 PM PST.
Strike Vote Details
This vote isn’t just about saying “yes” or “no” to a strike — it’s about showing the employer and government that community health workers are united, organized, and ready to fight for fairness.
What a Strike Authorization Vote Means
A strike authorization vote does not necessarily mean we are going on strike. Instead, it gives your committee the power needed to return to the bargaining table and push for the improvements you deserve.
By voting YES, you’re helping:
A strong strike mandate will send a clear message: we will not settle for less than respect, equity, and a fair deal for all community health workers.
Information Sessions: Learn More Before You Vote
Your bargaining committee will be hosting three sessions where you can learn more about the upcoming vote, ask questions, and hear the latest updates from the bargaining table:
This is a critical moment for community health workers. Please talk to your co-workers and make sure they’re aware of this announcement and receiving union updates.
If someone is not getting our emails — or is receiving them at a work address — ask them to update their personal email by contacting reception@ufcw1518.com or completing this quick form: https://tinyurl.com/4shskjbe
In solidarity,
Patrick Johnson
President, UFCW 1518
on behalf of our CBA Bargaining Committee
Connie Samuels (Cowichan Home Support)
Linda Wilson (Port Alberni Home Support)
Eleanor Smith (Penticton Home Support)
Bargaining Update from Your UFCW 1518 CBA Delegates
At 3:30 p.m. PST this afternoon your CBA Bargaining Committee declared that negotiations had reached an impasse with Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the provincial government.
After almost 20 days at the bargaining table, we have been unable to address the most acute bargaining priorities identified by members.
Specifically:
We have not taken this decision lightly, and in the absence of an offer that meets these demands, we are likely to conduct a strike vote. Over the coming weeks your UFCW 1518 representatives in the CBA bargaining committee will be working on a member engagement plan as well as determining the best method and timing to conduct a strike vote.
As we move forward it is important that UFCW 1518 has your up-to-date personal contact information to ensure you are kept informed and prepared. Please click here to update your personal email address and phone number➜
You can also share this link with other members who may not be receiving our emails.
In solidarity,
UFCW 1518 Healthcare Union Team
Bargaining Update from Your UFCW 1518 CBA Delegates
After a pause in negotiations, your CBA Bargaining Committee reconvened with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) on September 24, 25, and 26, 2025.
Since March, your committee—working alongside representatives from six other constituent unions, including UFCW 1518—has dedicated 19 days at the bargaining table. Despite the exchange of full non-monetary proposals, progress has remained slow, with the employer agreeing only to minor administrative updates so far.
We remain committed to negotiating a fair and respectful agreement that addresses the priorities and concerns of all members. Further updates will be provided as negotiations continue.
Out of frustration with a lack of meaningful progress, we cancelled our July bargaining dates and asked you for feedback on next steps by hosting several healthcare socials earlier this summer.
Your responses indicated clear priorities:
Ahead of last week’s meetings, your UFCW 1518 bargaining team and our union partners made it clear: we demanded meaningful progress on key priorities by Friday, September 26. These priorities included addressing the long-standing underfunding of the Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) and reaching a fair, final resolution on the funding of your benefit plan, bringing it in line with that of other healthcare workers across the sector.
Although we have a long way to go, it is sufficient progress to continue talks with HEABC. There are two more days scheduled for talks on October 2 and 3, 2025, with further talks planned for the weeks of October 13 and 20. We will provide further updates as negotiations progress.
We’re asking all members to make sure your contact information is current so you don’t miss any important updates.
If you’ve changed your email or phone number or if you know another member who isn’t receiving our messages—please take a moment to fill out this quick form.
In solidarity,
UFCW 1518 Healthcare Union Team
Bargaining Update from Your UFCW 1518 CBA Delegates
Your UFCW delegates to the CBA bargaining committee — along with delegates of the six other constituent unions — have spent 16 days at the bargaining table with HEABC. Although we have had a full exchange of non-monetary proposals, we have made very little progress outside of administrative updates to the agreement.
Our goal is to make progress on the priorities you identified. This includes improved overtime language, greater mobility between employers, and having language equal to workers covered under the FBA.
Your committee is greatly frustrated with the lack of progress and does not believe any meaningful momentum will be achieved during our remaining dates in July. Therefore, we have cancelled the remaining five days in July and informed HEABC that we will have to reconvene in September and October.
During this time, your committee — including your elected Executive Board members — will be reaching out to members to update you on bargaining and get feedback on our next steps.
While we’re not yet discussing specific monetary proposals, the idea of a general wage increase has been raised at the Public Service bargaining table — and it has been echoed at ours as well. Note that we have not accepted this offer, nor have we discussed it. However, we want to ensure you’re aware of the offer that was made and to assure you that we know it falls short of addressing the priorities members like you have consistently raised.
On June 25, 2025, HEABC tabled monetary proposals, including on wages and low compensation redress. This included a proposed two-year agreement with the following General Wage Increase (GWI):
Year 1: The employer proposed two options for year one of the GWI:
Option A
Option B
Year 2:
It’s important to emphasize that this is the opening proposal, and significant work remains. We have reiterated to the employer that any path to a tentative agreement must include a monetary offer that meaningfully addresses the affordability crisis facing public sector workers.
Know that your resolve and support are the key ingredients in achieving a positive result at the bargaining table, especially as it relates to non-monetary language and your rights under the collective agreement.
In solidarity,
UFCW 1518 Healthcare Union Team
Bargaining Update from Your UFCW 1518 CBA Delegates
Your UFCW 1518 delegates to the Community Bargaining Association (CBA), alongside representatives from the six other unions in the CBA, met with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) on June 3–4 and June 9–10, 2025, to continue negotiations aimed at renewing our collective agreement.
We’ve made some headway on non-monetary and administrative issues, and while that’s a positive step, there’s still a long road ahead. So far, neither the unions nor HEABC have tabled monetary proposals.
To ensure your voices are heard and your priorities are addressed, we’ve scheduled an additional 11 days of bargaining, set to take place from late June through July. These extended sessions are a critical opportunity to move closer to a fair and respectful tentative agreement.
We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process. Stay tuned for further updates as negotiations progress.
In solidarity,
UFCW 1518 Healthcare Union Team
Earlier this month, we wrapped up another week of bargaining meetings with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia. If you missed our previous bargaining update, you can read it here.
In this round of bargaining, the Bargaining Association presented Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) proposals to the employer. To facilitate more focused and efficient discussions, both parties agreed to form a smaller working group, comprising four representatives from the union and four from the employer, to discuss OH&S items.
Our next scheduled bargaining meetings are between May 20 and June 17, and we’re optimistic that we’ll continue to make progress. Another update will be provided after these dates.
In solidarity,
Leonard Cody
Bargaining Committee Liaison
On Friday, we wrapped up two weeks of bargaining meetings with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia. If you missed our previous bargaining updates from November and February, you can read them here and here to get caught up.
At this last round of meetings, the Bargaining Association and the employer exchanged non-monetary proposals for review, marking an important milestone as both parties assess each other’s positions. All our discussions continue to be guided by the priorities members identified in last year’s surveys and the Bargaining Conference.
Our next scheduled bargaining meetings will take place from March 31st to April 4th. We expect the current political and economic uncertainty will shape these discussions and the employer’s approach to monetary proposals. Despite this, we are committed to making progress and we are adjusting our negotiating plan accordingly.
As we move through this bargaining process, it’s helpful to highlight two things:
Rest assured, your Bargaining Committee representatives—Linda Wilson, Eleanor Smith, and Connie Samuell—will continue to advocate for the best possible outcomes for our members. We will provide further updates as negotiations progress.
In solidarity,
Leonard Cody
Bargaining Committee Liaison
We are pleased to share an update with you on how our bargaining preparations are coming along. If you missed our last bargaining update, you can read it here to get caught up.
On January 21st and 22nd, the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) held a number of meetings on Zoom with representatives from the seven healthcare member unions — including UFCW 1518. Together, we began merging our bargaining proposals to collectively advocate for the interests of all our healthcare members across BC.
We’ll meet again next week on February 7th to finalize our proposal packages before exchanging them with HEABC. Bargaining will then begin on March 3rd for two consecutive weeks.
We’ll be sure to keep you up to date throughout bargaining. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact me at lcody@ufcw1518.com.
In solidarity,
Leonard Cody
Bargaining Committee Liaison
We are pleased to provide you with an update on our bargaining preparations. Over two days in November, your Bargaining Committee met to thoroughly review the results of the bargaining survey you participated in over the summer, as well as the valuable feedback gathered during the three-day Bargaining Conference held in September. This conference saw participation from leaders across our province, fostering collaboration and shared goals.
After analyzing a wealth of information, the committee brought forward proposals and member concerns since last round and has developed a comprehensive proposal document that will be submitted to our lead negotiator. This document reflects the priorities and concerns you expressed in your survey responses and discussions, ensuring your voices are at the forefront of our bargaining strategy.
Some Top Bargaining Items Include:
As a proud member of the Health Services Community Association of Unions, which includes seven other unions and stands as the second largest within the association, UFCW1518 is committed to advocating for the best interests of all our members. We anticipate that meetings with the employer, the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC), and our fellow unions will commence early next year.
Your Bargaining Committee consists of:
Your continued support and engagement are crucial as we move forward in this process. Together, we can work towards securing a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the needs of our members.
In solidarity,
Leonard Cody
Bargaining Committee Liaison
Bargaining in the community health sector works differently to most union bargaining in BC. Our guide covers the process step-by-step and answers some of the questions you might have.
Here are the latest answers to the most frequent questions we have been receiving.
Negotiations have reached an impasse, and by that we mean they’ve stalled. After almost 20 days of negotiations trying to secure a fair deal, the employer and the provincial government have refused to address our most critical issues, including fair compensation and benefits, in line with healthcare workers in facilities.
Your bargaining committee has been working tirelessly to achieve a collective agreement that reflects the value of your work. But without meaningful movement from the employer, we’ve had to consider escalation. That’s why we’re taking a strike authorization vote — to show the employer we are serious and united in fighting for a fair deal.
Negotiations have stalled because HEABC and the provincial government are refusing to meaningfully address our core issues. They have made it clear that they will not move unless there is real pressure from workers.
That’s why we’re taking a strike authorization vote. It’s not about walking off the job. It’s about sending a strong, united message that community health workers deserve better. This vote gives your bargaining committee the leverage needed to get back to the table and push for a fair offer.
Our goal is not to strike — it’s to reach a fair agreement. A strong strike vote helps us do exactly that.
A strike authorization vote authorizes the union to have the option to serve strike notice if we are unable to reach an agreement. It is a strong show of power and solidarity, that shows the employer we stand behind our bargaining committee and are ready to fight for what we deserve. A vote does not mean a strike is imminent. Ultimately, our goal is always to reach an agreement. A strong strike mandate will put pressure on the employer and help your bargaining committee push for a better offer at the table.
Job action in the community health sector will look different than in other sectors, as many of the services provided by community health workers are considered essential by law. Ultimately, it will all depend on the kinds of services you provide as part of your job. If a strike becomes necessary, there won’t be a full withdrawal of services. Services considered essential will continue to ensure the health and safety of the people you support.
If job action moves forward, here’s what you can expect:
The exact role you play will depend on whether your specific duties are deemed essential.
You will receive clear instructions and full support from your union about what services are continuing and what strike action looks like for you.
The goal is not to disrupt care for vulnerable clients, it’s to put pressure on the employer and show that community health workers are serious about achieving a fair deal.
The strike authorization vote will be held online from November 19 at 9am PST to November 21 at 12pm PST.
You will receive your voting credentials to your email address.
Anyone who does not receive their voting credentials on November 19 can call the union office at 1-800-661-3708 during business hours to request them, after verifying their identity.
All UFCW 1518 members who are a part of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) can vote.
Voting YES means that you support your bargaining committee’s recommendation to authorize a strike and demand a better contract.
No, a strike authorization vote is a step in escalation and does not mean we will automatically issue a strike notice. We are fighting for a fair deal for our members. After the strike authorization vote, we will return to the bargaining table to show HEABC we are serious about fighting for a fair deal—but our goal is to reach an agreement without having to serve strike notice.
Yes, UFCW 1518 members who are able to participate in job action will receive picket pay in the event of a strike, so long as they show up to their picket shifts. We will release more information about picket pay if a strike moves forward.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Healthcare Conference in September, 2024! We had a great experience meeting and hearing from members across the sector and got a stronger idea of your priorities as we head into bargaining.
Our office is located on traditional Indigenous
territory belonging to the Qayqayt First Nation
350 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 1A6
reception@UFCW1518.com
Toll-Free: 1.800.661.3708 • 604.526.1518
Fax: 604.540.1520
Have a workplace-specific question or concern, or need to make a general enquiry? Contact us using the form below, the details on our Contact page, or email reception@ufcw1518.com.