For almost two decades, B.C. has granted private companies the contracts to clean and serve health care facilities.
But, as of today (Sept. 2), that's now a thing of the past for three care homes in Coquitlam.
In a release, the provincial government and the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) said housekeeping workers are set to be welcomed back to the Connolly, Cottonwood and Cypress lodges as Fraser Health employees ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.
It's part of continued efforts to repatriate roughly 4,000 workers, said B.C. health minister Adrian Dix.
"Our health-care services workers do so much for our communities," added Port Coquitlam MLA and deputy premier Mike Farnworth.
"Ensuring that they receive the job security and compensation they deserve is integral to strengthening the health-care system for all of us and I'm so proud of all the efforts to bring workers home under Bill 47."
In total, eight workers are returning to the three Coquitlam facilities — located in the area of 2727 Lougheed Hwy.
Each home provided specific needs for mental health:
- Connolly Lodge
- Cottonwood Lodge
- Cypress Lodge
This follows through on a promise the B.C. government made in August 2021 to end 21 commercial contracts for housekeeping and food services in health-care facilities, and using a labour adjustment process negotiated with the HEU.
"By bringing these jobs back into the public service, the government is reversing the failed privatization policies of the past that fragmented our health-care system," said HEU spokesperson Meena Brisard.
"Reuniting these workers with the health-care team means a stronger health-care system and better working conditions for these frontline workers, most of whom are women or racialized workers."
Bill 47 — known as the Health Sector Statutes Repeal Act — repealed two existing pieces of legislation: the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act (Bill 29) and the Health Sector Partnerships Agreement Act (Bill 94), which the province had facilitated contracting out in the health sector and caused significant labour impacts.
In April this year, 65 in-house workers were also brought back to Port Moody's Eagle Ridge Hospital under similar circumstances and are now full-time employees with the Fraser Health Authority.
