New Contract Brings Wage Increases for Pacific Coast Health Services Workers

Victoria, BC—Local 501 members employed by Pacific Coast Health Services (PCHS) ratified a new three-year collective agreement.

Improvements include wage increases ranging from eight to fifteen percent in the first year of the contract, four percent in the second year, and a wage review in year three. There are also premium increases for staff working with high-acuity clients and to the live-in allowance, and improvements to the sick-leave policy.

“This was a great set of negotiations as the employer truly cares about the well-being of their employees,” says Aleasha Wegner, representative. “Covid-19 was financially disastrous for PCHS and they struggled to bounce back in the last couple of years, but they wanted to compensate this group every way they could.”

Local 501 represents approximately 50 home support workers, community health workers, and licensed practical nurses employed by PCHS. They assist people of all ages suffering from complex medical conditions, either in their homes or in assisted-living facilities in the Victoria and Nanaimo areas.