British Columbia Health Minister Josie Osborne says a new agreement will make thousands of health care workers eligible for collective bargaining again, but it will cost the province an additional $85 million.

More than 5,000 unionized workers in eligible long-term care and assisted living facilities will transition to the provincewide Facilities Collective Agreement over the next two years after the former Liberal government imposed wage cuts of 15 per cent in 2004.

Osborne says the transition will mean higher wages and improved benefits for workers and better care for seniors by making the jobs more attractive for workers.

The agreement affects workers at more than 100 facilities that are part of the Health Employers Association of B.C., which receive at least 50 per cent of their fun

See Full Page