More than 1,300 British Columbia health care workers who lost their jobs to government privatization schemes will receive some financial compensation soon.
The payments come from a $25 million enhanced severance package health care unions negotiated as part of an agreement to end job action in health care facilities last May. That agreement also capped the number of future privatization-related layoffs.
The financial aid package had been delayed while an arbitrator decided who would be included in the cap. That matter was resolved last month and health employers received instructions last week to begin issuing payments.
This severance package is long overdue and badly needed by our members, says HEU Acting Secretary-Business Manager Zorica Bosancic.