Four Phases of Negotiations. The PMA negotiations process follows up to four phases. Each phase is designed to increase involvement of outside assistance as well as pressure on the parties to settle if they are unable to reach a negotiated agreement. Please note, however, that the parties may agree not to trigger the next phase of the negotiations process if they feel that they are making progress at the bargaining table. The process is set in motion when Doctors of BC provides the government with notice to bargain in April 2021. Phase 1 Beginning June 2021, Doctors of BC and government will meet to exchange proposals and begin the negotiations process.
Four Phases of Negotiations. The PMA negotiations process follows up to four phases. Each phase is designed to increase involvement of outside assistance as well as pressure on the parties to settle if they are unable to reach a negotiated agreement. The process is set in motion when Doctors of BC provides the government with notice to bargain in April 2018. Phase 1 Beginning June 2018, Doctors of BC and government will meet to exchange proposals and attempt to reach an agreement. Phase 2 If a deal has not been reached by the end of September 2018, either side can enlist the help of a mediator to assist in the discussions. Phase 3 If by the end of December 2018 a deal has still not been reached, either party may call for a conciliation panel chaired by a neutral party to convene and hear submissions from each party on their issues. In considering the submissions of the parties, the panel is required to balance the need to provide reasonable compensation to physicians while considering government’s fiscal situation, and the operational and medical resource needs of the Health Authorities. The panel must provide its recommendations on all outstanding issues. The recommendations of the panel on the core issues of PMA negotiations are final and binding if government accepts them. Because the panel’s recommendations are binding on Doctors of BC, we must make the most effective argument we can to secure the support of the conciliation panel. Phase 4 If, however, government disagrees with the panel’s recommendations, it has the right to reject them. Government can then continue negotiations with the Doctors of BC. If this occurs, physicians then have the right to withdraw services, subject to the guidelines of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. In theory, such a service withdrawal should put maximum pressure on both sides to reach an agreement.
