Picket lines paused as BCNU enters into mediated talks

Bans on non-nursing duties and a restriction on overtime remain in effect

The British Columbia Nurses' Union (BCNU) says mediated bargaining between the Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) and the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) is officially underway. The province has appointed special mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers, who will work with both parties for 10 days. As a result, the BCNU said in a media release it will pause all picket line job action effective at the end of the day Tuesday, July 14.

The pause includes picket lines at Surrey Memorial Hospital and Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre, Victoria General Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The union will also host a picket line at Royal Jubilee Hospital and South Island Surgical Centre beginning Tuesday morning. "We are entering mediation with cautious optimism," said BCNU president Adriane Gear.

"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. While there is still significant work ahead, we believe mediation offers an important opportunity to move these negotiations forward." Gear thanked the nurses who have participated in job action over the past several weeks.

"The solidarity shown by BC's nurses has been extraordinary," Gear said. "They have come together with the goal of building a stronger health-care system. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment, their professionalism and their resolve.

Nurses never wanted to be on picket lines — they want to be at the bedside, caring for patients." BCNU chief executive officer and NBA chief negotiator Jim Gould said the union remains committed to reaching a fair agreement. "We are entering mediation in good faith because we believe it presents an important opportunity to make meaningful progress at the bargaining table," Gould said.

"While we are pausing picket lines to support this process, our resolve has not changed, and we remain prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to achieve the contract BC's nurses deserve." Bans on non-nursing duties and restrictions on overtime will remain in effect while mediated talks continue. The BCNU represents about 55,000 nurses across the province, including 4,000 in Northern Health and 1,500 in Prince George.