Key Updates
Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA)
The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA), which includes the UFCW 1518 CSSBA Bargaining Committee, among other unions, kicked off negotiations with employers in May 2025, and reached a tentative agreement on April 23rd, 2026. The agreement was ratified at a total of 93.7% among all members (and a rate of 95.3% among UFCW 1518 members). The agreement includes:
- A 3% general wage increase retroactive as of April 1, 2025, 3% retroactive as of April 1, 2026, 3% in 2027, and 3% in 2028
- Health sector comparability wage increases effective April 2028
- Mileage rate increased to 65 cents/km effective two months post-ratification
- Psychologist/counsellor coverage increased to $1500 effective October 1, 2026
- Vision care increased to $500 effective October 1, 2026
- Health sector compatibility wage increases effective April 2028
- Shift premiums tailored to each sector, effective April 2028
- Retention incentive of $1100 per regular full-time employee as of January 2027
- Gender-affirming care support through a dedicated fund
- Improved health and safety language, including workload-related concerns
Education Programming
UFCW 1518 sent its largest delegations in recent history to major labour events, including:
- Sending delegates to the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Convention in Winnipeg two weeks ago. In addition, UFCW 1518 Executive Board member, Linda Wilson with Port Alberni Home Support, represented you in a panel discussion about workers in the care economy
- We also sent 10 members to the UFCW Women’s Network Convention in Montreal
- And we sent 5 delegates to the Federal NDP Convention
As always, we have a number of Educational opportunities for members in the coming summer months, including:
- Power Hour (morning and evening options): These online, hour-long workshops take members through helpful workplace topics, including Roles and Responsibilities, Grievance Handling, Bargaining 101, Note Taking.
In addition, we have a number of solidarity-building social events coming up over the next few months!
- UFCW 1518 will be at this summer’s Pride events, including in Nanaimo on June 14, Duncan on June 22, Victoria on July 12, and Vancouver on August 2 — if you’re at any of these events, keep an eye out for our UFCW 1518 crew and pick up some fun swag!
- We will also be raffling off tickets to members for two BC Lions games this summer, including in Kelowna against the Calgary Stampeders on June 27, and in Vancouver against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on August 23rd.
- And the previous day on August 22, we are holding a Family Picnic for all UFCW 1518 members and their families! It’s a fun, World Cup-themed event where we’ll have food and games for everyone to enjoy themselves and meet each other. It will be a blast to see you there!
Member Q&A
Q1 – Member, Creston: How do we apply to be on committees?
Patrick: Confirms that there are a number of committees that members can join and to let your union rep know that you’re interested, so when an opening comes up they can think of you.
Q2 – Member: I just was wondering if you could give us a timeline on when we might be able to get our hands on a copy of our new CSSBA collective agreement?
Patrick: We don’t have an exact timeline on that, but the website does have some highlights. As soon as the union gets word, we’ll have those paper copies for folks that want them and it will be available online.
Q3– Member, Prince George: How do we go to management about workload concerns?
Patrick: Your union representative is also a good person, but on the ground, the health and safety member is a good place to start to get that on the radar of health and safety committee.