HEU Staff Compensation Unveiled

 The 244 employees of HEU are among the highest-paid in the healthcare sector, with benefits packages that surpass even those provided to executives at health authorities. HEU President Barb Nederpel and Financial Secretary Betty represent HEU management at the bargaining table opposite the Hospital Employees Staff Union (PEA-HESU). However, there is a clear conflict of interest—Barb and Betty are essentially negotiating their own compensation. Any improvements or benefits secured for staff automatically apply to management, sometimes at an even higher level.

Effective April 1, 2025, HEU staff representatives will earn $70.32 per hour, while also benefiting from arrangements that allow them to work from home 50% of the time. Their vehicle allowances fully cover gas, insurance, for business and personal usage—even during periods of vacation, illness, or other leave.

Meanwhile, our President Barb Nederpel, Secretary-Business Manager Lynne Bueckert, and Financial Secretary Betty Valenzuela recently received raises of 28%.

These highlights from the attached 2021-2024 HEU-PEA-HESU Collective Agreement clearly illustrate the generous compensation provided to HEU employees. Perhaps our bargaining committee could present these details to HEABC, suggesting: "This is how generously we compensate our staff—let’s meet halfway and finalize our negotiations."
 

Our representatives in HESU secured the following wage increases this year:

April 1, 2024: A $1.00 per hour increase plus 6.75%

April 1, 2025: 4.25%

April 1, 2026: 3.00%

Clothing Allowance:ALL 244 employees receive an annual clothing allowance of $1,110 (as of January 2021) increasing annually based on CPI.

Dental Implants: The dental plan covers 100% of basic services, 70% of extended services including dental implants (up to the cost of a bridge).

Early Retirement Option: An Early Retirement Fund accumulates 1% of the payroll annually, allowing employees to access benefits without exhausting vacation or CTO banks.

Extended Health Care Benefits: Coverage includes annual eye exams, Vision wear $600 every 2 years, hearing aids ($3,000 every five years), and unlimited lifetime medical coverage with no deductible.

Group Life Insurance: Coverage includes a $125,000 term life insurance policy fully paid by the employer.

PBC Enhanced Gender affirmation - $10,000

Fertility Treatments: Fertility drugs are covered up to a lifetime maximum of $3,000.

Group Life Insurance: Coverage includes a $125,000 term life insurance policy fully paid by the employer.

Social Justice Fund: A contribution of $0.01 per hour from both the employer and employees to support social justice initiatives.

Education and Career Development: Comprehensive education leave and training support programs.

Miscellaneous Allowances: Monthly meal allowances of $42.50 and per diems of $80 for out-of-town.

16.08 - Transportation Allowance

The transportation allowance seems extraordinary, especially considering that even executives of Health Authorities with budgets in the billions do not receive such benefits.

The transportation allowance for HEU staff union members, probably equal or better for non-union employees, includes gas, licensing, ALL insurance costs not just the extra business use, a $55.00 monthly maintenance allowance ($100 monthly if they have a hybrid car), and $1,000 for winter tires every three years.

When I first saw this, I thought it was a mistake, but it’s actually correct—the Transportation Allowance includes three key employee benefits:

"An employee on paid leave of absence, sick leave, vacation, or any combination of these leaves is entitled to retain their vehicle-related perquisites for up to six (6) consecutive months. This includes employer-covered costs such as insurance and maintenance, even though the vehicle is not being used for work purposes. Additionally, these benefits extend to the first twenty (20) days of unpaid leave.”

"An employee on unpaid or paid leave of absence, including sick leave, vacation, or a combination of these, is entitled to retain and use their gas card for personal purposes for up to two (2) weeks.”

"The employer is allowed to extend the use of the gas card, meaning it falls under (SBM) but we know it will be Barb’s discretionary authority to extend gas card usage during leaves, potentially up to six months if you are part of 'Team Barb.'” This policy should be applied uniformly to all eligible employees or none at all, ensuring fairness and transparency.

And far more benefits than what the members receive, despite many staff representatives coming from jobs requiring minimal to no formal education. One staff representative completed only a nine-month pharmacy tech course yet now earns executive-level corporate pay.