Bc Nursing Union Collective Agreement

If you live in British Columbia and are a member of the nursing union, or are considering joining, it`s essential that you understand the collective agreement that governs your work. The BC Nurses` Union (BCNU) negotiates regularly with health care employers to ensure fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members.

The current BCNU collective agreement, which runs from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2022, covers more than 50,000 registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and allied health staff working in acute, long-term, and community care facilities across the province.

Some of the key provisions of the agreement include:

Wages: The agreement provides for a series of wage increases over its three-year term, starting with a 2% increase on April 1, 2019, followed by increases of 2% on April 1, 2020, and 1.75% on April 1, 2021. In addition to these general wage increases, some classifications of nurses and allied health staff receive targeted wage adjustments.

Vacation and time off: Nurses and allied health staff are entitled to a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year, with additional time off for long service. The agreement also includes provisions for paid sick leave, bereavement leave, and family responsibility leave.

Benefits: The agreement provides for a comprehensive benefits package, including extended health and dental coverage, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and a pension plan.

Working conditions: The agreement includes provisions to ensure safe working conditions, including measures to prevent violence in the workplace and to address understaffing and workload concerns.

Professional development: The BCNU and employers have agreed to set aside funds to support professional development opportunities for nurses and allied health staff.

If you`re a member of the BCNU, it`s important that you familiarize yourself with the collective agreement and understand your rights and responsibilities under it. The agreement provides for a fair and equitable workplace for nurses and allied health staff, and the BCNU is committed to upholding its provisions and negotiating improvements where necessary.

By working together and advocating for their rights, BCNU members can ensure that they are able to provide the highest level of care to their patients while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance.