B.C. Nurses’ Union to pause picket lines as mediation begins

Labour mediator Vince Ready steps into yet another major labour dispute

B.C. Nurses’ Union to pause picket lines as mediation begins Published 3:58 pm Monday, July 13, 2026 In a gesture of “good faith,” the B.C. Nurses’ Union has agreed to pause picket lines as it enters mediated talks with the Health Employers’ Association of B.C., the union announced on Monday, July 13. Picket lines will be paused at the end of the day on Tuesday.

Nurses’ union president Adriane Gear issued a statement saying the union is entering mediation with “cautious optimism” that it can reach terms to resolve members’ complaints on staff safety, workloads and compensation. “While there is still significant work ahead, we believe mediation offers an important opportunity to move these negotiations forward,” Gear said. Longtime labour negotiator Vince Ready will mediate.

Ready is known for solving some of B.C.’s prickliest labour disputes, including the eight-week strike by the B.C. General Employees’ Union’s public service bargaining unit last fall. The B.C. Nurses’ Union began job action on July 2. Because much of their work is essential to patient care, nurses are limited in the job actions they can take, such as refusing non-nursing duties and overtime.

The union has still set up picket lines at several major hospitals. READ MORE: Nurses picket outside NRGH calling for improved nurse retention and workplace safety READ MORE: B.C. nurses begin job action following 72-hour strike notice