Tentative agreement reached for community health workers in Peace Region and across B.C.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Health workers in the Peace region are among those covered by a new deal reached between the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers Association of BC.

In a February 24th news release, the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU), the lead union of the CBA, said the tentative agreement follows months of negotiations.

In November 2025, CBA members voted 92.3 per cent in favour of strike action after their previous contract expired on March 31st, 2025.

According to the union, the new deal covers more than 26,000 community health workers across the province. Details of the deal have not yet been released.

BCGEU communications officer Celia Shea told Energeticcity.ca there are CBA members in northeast B.C., including administrative staff, community health workers and life skill workers.

Provincewide, CBA members work in home support, shelters, supportive housing, clinics, detox and treatment programs, mental health group homes and regional health units. 

The BCGEU said recruitment and retention challenges have put pressure on community-based services.

“Fixing long-standing inequities for community health workers is how we protect and strengthen community-based care, and that’s what members fought for in this round of bargaining,” said Scott De Long, bargaining chair and BCGEU vice president.

The union says details of the tentative agreement will be shared with members in the coming weeks before a ratification vote.