More than 16,000 unionized professionals working in the health sector have a five-year contract in place under the B.C. government’s Economic Stability Mandate after voting 76 percent in favour.

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association and the Heath Employers Association of B.C. have ratified the agreement.

CUPE members voted against this agreement,” said Mark Hancock, President of CUPE BC. “We remain disappointed the deal does not provide a fair wage increase. We are not at all hopeful that the so-called ‘Economic Stability Dividend’ will do anything for our members.”

The term of the contract is from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2019. It provides for a modest 5.5 per cent wage increase over the five years of the term, with potential for additional increases if the B.C. economy exceeds the annual forecasts set by the Economic Forecast Council.

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association represents more than 16,000 front-line health workers in more than 100 different specialized disciplines that provide diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services. The diverse membership ranges from medical laboratory technologists to physiotherapists to social workers.

The 2014 Mandate applies to all public-sector employers whose collective agreements expire on or after Dec. 31, 2013. Three agreements are in the ratification process.

There are 302 thousand unionized members of the public service.

The government’s Economic Stability Mandate provides public-sector employers the ability to negotiate longer-term agreements within a fixed fiscal envelope, and offers employees an opportunity to participate in the province’s economic growth.