B.C. doctors agree to a two year wage freeze for management improvements.

VICTORIA -- British Columbia's 7800 physicians have agreed to to accept a two-year wage freeze. according to the B.C. Medical Association.

B.C. doctors had been seeking an 11 per cent raise over three years, but decided they could accept two years without a pay increase if the government moves to improve health care for patients, said Dr. John Turner, B.C. Medical Association president.

The current contract between the BCMA and the government expires on March 31. The government legislated the last doctor contract two years ago after it rejected an arbitrator's ruling. Doctors finally ratified a contract in 2002 that gave them an average wage increase of $50,000 each.

In the past contract talks between B.C.M.A. and both the Liberal and former New Democratic Party governments have been nasty and resulted in provincewide and local work stoppages.

The B.C.M.A changed its wage stance after consulting with the mediator and its own members who said they would prefer changes in the management of health care in British Columbia over a pay raise, Dr. Turner said.

The B.C.M.A. is seeking a three-year deal and is expecting some wage increase in the final year, no amount stated.

It also wants the government to increase funding to reduce wait lists for surgery at B.C. hospitals and give doctors more say in rebuilding the health system, he said.