B.C. introducing legislation to prevent health providers from contract flipping

Contract flipping is when workers at healthcare facilities and care homes are laid off and then rehired at a lower wage and with fewer benefits. The B.C. government wants to end that practice, saying it's hurting recruitment in the sector. Under the proposed law, wages and benefits negotiated at a facility will remain, even if the contractor changes. The legislation would affect care aids and workers in areas such as food service, housekeeping and laundry. Critics believe contract flipping makes for poor working conditions for staff and leads to uncertainty for frail seniors who rely on increasingly disgruntled staff for their care.