Tentative agreement reached for 25,000 community health workers in B.C.

The Health Employers Association of BC and the Community Bargaining Association have reached a tentative agreement covering more than 25,000 community health workers, and details will be released after a ratification process that is expected to begin soon.

The Health Employers Association of BC and the Community Bargaining Association have reached a tentative agreement covering more than 25,000 community health workers across British Columbia. The deal was negotiated under an enhanced bargaining mandate that includes additional wage increases tied to low-wage redress. Enhanced mandates have been used since 2014 in parts of the province's public sector to address recruitment, retention and service-delivery pressures. Members of the Community Bargaining Association previously voted in favour of strike action during bargaining and their last contract expired on March 31, 2025. Key details: - The agreement applies to more than 25,000 community health workers across the province. - Negotiations took place under an enhanced bargaining mandate that includes targeted wage increases tied to low-wage redress. - Full details of the tentative agreement will be released following a ratification process that is expected to begin soon. - In November 2025, Community Bargaining Association members voted 92.3 per cent in favour of strike action during bargaining. - The CBA represents seven unions; the BC General Employees' Union accounts for roughly 60 per cent of the bargaining unit. - Workers covered by the agreement provide support in private homes, group homes, residential community living settings, child development centres, adult day programs, mental-health facilities, community service agencies and health authorities. Summary: The tentative agreement aims to address issues raised during bargaining, including long-standing pay inequities and adjustments linked to low-wage redress for community-based care workers. The bargaining committee will present the deal to members for ratification, and full terms will be published once the ratification process begins.