 It is also a member in the British Columbia Federation of Labour and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).In 2004, the HEU was judged to have conducted an illegal strike in BC hospitals.Although members worked fewer hours for higher rates than the national average, and had generous vacation benefits (five weeks after 10 years of employment and up to nine weeks after 25 years), there was dispute with the provincial government for privatization of in-house support services in BC health authorities.