CUPE 4816 unanimously votes NO

BURNABY—Members of CUPE 4816 who work with Fraser Health Authority in Burnaby and New Westminster voted unanimously against a proposed agreement in the Health Science Professionals sector.

“It was a strong turnout,” said CUPE 4816 president Frank de Waard. “Members voted 100% against this deal because the increase in benefits was just too costly.”

Although the proposed agreement features some new benefits and improvements, the two-year deal features no general wage increase and no new money.

De Waard noted that benefit improvements don’t take effect until January 2012, but the loss of vacation accrual takes place immediately. Many 4816 members were also dissatisfied with red circling of health professionals’ positions.

CUPE 4816 held their ratification vote yesterday. Members of CUPE Local 15, representing members with Vancouver Coastal Health and members of CUPE 1978, representing members with Vancouver Island Health Authority will be voting next week.

CUPE 15 and 1978 have also recommended rejection of this deal to their membership.

“This deal isn’t respecting the work that we do in the community as health science professionals,” said De Waard.

View CUPE’s Comprehensive Report on the Tentative Agreement and a bulletin clarifying the Grade I and II position changes in the agreement.

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