B.C. nurses to pause picket lines as mediation begins

The BC Nurses' Union (BCNU) says it plans to pause its picket lines at the end of day on Tuesday now that bargaining has officially begun.

The BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) says it plans to pause its picket lines at the end of day on Tuesday “as a demonstration of good faith and a commitment to the mediation process” now that bargaining has officially begun. BCNU President Adriane Gear says they are cautiously optimistic as talks between the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) and the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) are underway. Related: B.C. nurses picketing Surrey Memorial Hospital, announce plans to expand job action B.C. nurses picketing major Vancouver hospital Tuesday as part of job action “Our bargaining committee is dedicated to engaging in a productive process and working toward an agreement that addresses the issues nurses have been raising for months: safe staffing, safer workplaces, manageable workloads, and fair compensation,” Gear said.

“While there is still significant work ahead, we believe mediation offers an important opportunity to move these negotiations forward.” Job action will continue even as picket lines are paused, the union says. A province-wide ban on non-nursing duties and restrictions on overtime will remain in place.

The union began the first phase of job action at 12:01 p.m. July 2, with Gear saying this came after members had not had a “meaningful response” from health employers since issuing a 72-hour strike notice June 29. Picket lines were set up at Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre in Surrey last week. The action escalated to Vancouver Island over the weekend.

On Friday, the provincial government announced the appointment of negotiators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers. NBA chief negotiator Jim Gould says the negotiations provide the opportunity to make meaningful progress. “While we are pausing picket lines to support this process, our resolve has not changed,” Gould said.

“We remain prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to achieve the contract B.C.’s nurses deserve.” The union began the first phase of job action at 12:01 p.m. July 2, with Gear saying this came after members had not had a “meaningful response” from health employers since issuing a 72-hour strike notice June 29. Picket lines were set up at Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre in Surrey last week.

The action escalated to Vancouver Island over the weekend. On Friday, the provincial government announced the appointment of negotiators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers.