The BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) and the provincial government have announced a tentative collective agreement.
According to the union, the agreement addresses key member concerns regarding:
- providing safe patient care;
- addressing workload through staffing;
- enhancing job security; and
- improving compensation.
The union stated that the tentative deal “was reached in a very tough fiscal climate, with the provincial government insisting on its co-operative gains mandate for public sector bargaining.”
The union said details of the agreement will be released next week.
In a statement, Finance Minister Michael de Jong welcomed the deal, which the government said provides “modest improvements” to compensation as well as the addition of new nurses to the system.
“This tentative agreement meets the terms of the co-operative gains mandate established at the outset of negotiations,” de Jong said. “It provides for modest improvements without adding costs for taxpayers and without sacrificing services to British Columbians.”
The government and the BCNU have been bargaining since February.
