Community health workers ratify new agreement

VANCOUVER, March 2 /CNW/ - Community health workers across the province have ratified a new collective agreement, it was announced today by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU).

The new two-year agreement covers 14,000 unionized employees who provide home support services to seniors and other health-related services. The agreement was supported by a vote of 76 per cent.

"The agreement provides for a point of sale drug card, improvements in vision care, and the establishment of joint working groups to improve scheduling practices and sick leave benefits. These are real gains for health care workers," said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.

The BCGEU is the largest union in the community health sector. Other unions include the Hospital Employees' Union and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, among others.

Community health workers provide home support services to seniors as well as a wide range of other duties including medical technicians, family resource services and community health information.

For further information: Brian Gardiner, BCGEU Communications, [phone]