B.C. nurses reject tentative agreement with the province

The B.C. Nurses Union (BCNU) said its members have voted against a tentative agreement reached with the province.

The union said Friday nurses voted 67 per cent to reject the agreement. 

BCNU President Adriane Gear said the vote is a message from nurses that their current working conditions cannot continue. 

“The public sees crowded emergency departments, long waits for care and the challenges facing our health-care system,” said Gear in a statement. “Nurses experience those pressures every shift. This vote reflects the frustration many nurses feel about the conditions they are working in and the urgent need for continued action to support the profession and strengthen patient care.” 

The B.C. Nurses’ Union represents more than 60,000 nurses across the province.

The union said on May 22 that it had reached a tentative agreement with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).  

It said the deal included a number of improvements to benefits coverage, wage enhancements, and workplace safety and violence prevention measures.

The tentative agreement was reached soon after the union said nurses had voted more than 98 per cent in support of strike action. 

BCNU said it will engage with members in the coming days to determine next steps.

“While we had hoped for a different outcome, we respect the decision of the members and the democratic process that led to this result,” said B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne in a statement.

“This is an important and sensitive stage in the bargaining process between the Nurses’ Bargaining Association and the Health Employers’ Association. We respect the need for both parties to have the time and space required to continue their discussions,” she said.

A spokesperson for the HEABC said in an emailed statement it respects the decision and looks forward to working with the union on outstanding issues.

“HEABC continues to be available to meet with the Nurses’ Bargaining Association at the bargaining table and we are prepared to continue negotiations to address the issues that both parties believe are important,” it said.