Bcnu reaches tentative agreement after 98.2 per cent strike vote

bcnu says it has reached a tentative agreement with the province after nearly 55,000 members backed a strike authorization vote by 98.2 per cent. Adriane Gear said Friday the deal came after nurses across British Columbia showed they were prepared to fight for meaningful change.

The union said members will vote on ratification from June 15 to 19. Until then, BCNU said it will share the details of the tentative agreement with members over the coming days.

Adriane Gear on bargaining

Gear said it was the first time in 25 years that nurses across the province had voted to authorize job action. She said, "This tentative agreement was reached because nurses across British Columbia came together and showed they were prepared to fight for meaningful change".

She also said, "The record strike mandate shifted the balance of power at the bargaining table and gave the committee the leverage to push harder, stay at the table longer, and secure meaningful gains for nurses across the province. The bargaining committee believes this represents the strongest agreement achievable through negotiations in this round of bargaining."

BCNU agreement details

BCNU said the tentative agreement includes improvements to benefits coverage, access to the enhanced mandate monies in addition to the government’s general wage increase of 12 per cent over four years, workplace safety and violence prevention measures, and other provisions aimed at addressing priorities nurses identified throughout bargaining and improving working conditions across British Columbia.

The union also said it secured additional funding toward the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios across the province. For nurses, the ratification vote will determine whether those terms move from a tentative deal to a settled agreement after months of difficult negotiations and a strike vote.

June 15 to 19 vote

Members will cast their ratification ballots from June 15 to 19. The vote comes after BCNU said wages, benefits and working conditions were the main sticking points in bargaining, and after the union said its members were prepared to take job action if necessary on May 12.

The result will decide whether the province-wide deal takes effect for the union’s nearly 55,000 members.