B.C. nurses to lift picket lines as mediated talks begin

The parties have until July 19 to reach a settlement and, if needed, provide recommendations to the health minister

B.C.’s nurses will lift picket lines as a show of good faith, recognizing the start of mediated talks between their union and the Health Employers Association of B.C. On Monday, B.C. Nurses’ Union president Adriane Gear said that as of late Tuesday afternoon all picket-line job action would be paused, though a provincewide ban on non-nursing duties and a restriction on overtime would remain. The dispute began in May when 67 per cent of the union’s voting members rejected an offer of a 12 per cent pay raise over four years and more money toward minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

On June 29, nurses issued a 72-hour strike notice and on July 2 the non-nursing duty and overtime bans began. Picket lines were erected outside Vancouver General Hospital on July 7, and at Surrey Memorial Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre in Surrey on July 9. Three Vancouver Island hospitals were also picketed over the weekend.

A picket is used by union members to encourage people supporting the union not to enter the place of business. Last Thursday, the provincial government appointed Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers as special mediators in the dispute. The parties have until July 19 to reach a settlement and, if needed, provide recommendations to the health minister.