Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Single Seniority Consolidation begins July 19

July 10, 2013

Changes are part of the new Nurses' Bargaining Association collective agreement and affect status, seniority and positions

The consolidation of the Provincial Health Services Authority's seniority list continues this month. The change is part of the terms of the new Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement, and follows the single status designation process which began May 3, 2013. Under the agreement, the PHSA will create and maintain one dovetailed seniority list covering all members of the NBA employed within the PHSA and its agencies.

Registered Nurses with more than one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position or who work in multiple positions at one or more agencies within the PHSA will see their multiple seniority lists combined during the pay period commencing July 18, 2013.

The updated single seniority list will be posted on the PHSA intranet site on July 19, 2013.

In addition to merged seniority, the banks (sick/special leave, etc.) of members who work in multiple positions will also be combined. Employees with more than one regular position, or who have multiple benefit plans, will have one set of benefits and receive coverage under one extended health plan as of the first pay day after July 18, 2013.

Under the agreement, all NBA members from PHSA member-agencies will be transferred to the PHSA Corporate employee group. Administration of the single seniority list also means that NBA members will receive updated benefit group numbers and new Pacific Blue Cross wallet cards. Members are asked to notify their dentist and other extended healthcare providers of this plan number change once notified by their employers.

Please note that new the benefit group numbers will not result in any changes to benefit coverage.

Other changes resulting from single seniority consolidation - such as salary increments, vacation credits, vacancy postings and expanded displacement options - are explained in detail in the Appendix - Consolidation of Certifications, found on page 39 of the New Language document (part of the NBA Provincial Collective Agreement).

BCNU members' regional representation and steward representation at existing worksites remains unchanged. Please contact your regional chair for more information.