NBA Provincial Bargaining Committee

Jim Gould is the Chief Negotiator for the Nurses’ Bargaining Association and has been serving as the CEO of the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) since 2022. His role is to strengthen BCNU members’ voices with government and champion nurses’ rights with employers. During his tenure, he and his bargaining team successfully secured the highest nursing salaries in Canada for BCNU members in their 2022 – 2025 contract.  

With nearly 20 years of experience as senior legal counsel for the BCNU, Jim has represented nurses in pivotal legal battles that have strengthened the provincial collective agreement. He has also negotiated substantial legal and financial commitments from the BC government aimed at establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and enhancing nurse recruitment and retention initiatives. As a skilled labour lawyer, mediator, and arbitrator, Jim's background in science, social work and law greatly influence his principled, people-centric negotiation and leadership style.  

Respected for his integrity, fairness, and commitment to justice, Jim is a proud advocate for the rights of  workers and the vital role of unions in protecting them. Jim’s late mother was a nurse, his daughter is studying nursing and he is personally committed to improving conditions for nurses in British Columbia which he knows will improve healthcare for every British Columbian.

Adriane Gear is BCNU President and chair of the Provincial Bargaining Committee. An RN since 1993, she brings frontline experience in long-term care, general surgery, and public health, along with nearly two decades of union leadership.

Adriane became active in BCNU after a workplace injury, sparking a deep commitment to health and safety. She has since served as a regional OHS rep, regional council member, and vice president, leading campaigns on mental health, staffing shortages, and equity in health care.

Known for her bold advocacy and collaborative leadership, Adriane is dedicated to securing safe working conditions, strong contracts, and a better future for nurses across BC. She is committed to championing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within both the union and the health-care system. She is also dedicated to upholding the Nurses’ Bargaining Association provincial collective agreement and ensuring the implementation of nurse-patient ratios - an essential step to improving staffing and practice conditions, supporting nurse retention, and enhancing patient care. 

Jo-Anna Haner is a dedicated nurse and union advocate with 15 years of experience across acute, community, and long-term care settings. Known for her unwavering commitment, Jo approaches advocacy with the belief that strong representation ensures better working conditions for nurses – and better patient care.

A previous BCNU steward, she has served as a joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee member and deputy returning officer.

Most recently, Jo has supported nurses through various educator roles. Driven by her passion for empowering members and providing them with the tools and resources they need to deliver safe, quality care, she brings that same dedication to bargaining, and to fighting for a contract that respects nurses and strengthens the profession across BC.

Tracy Gadsby is an LPN with over 10 years of experience in emergency, med-surg, and the community. Based in Invermere, she is an active BCNU steward and joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee member, advocating for better working conditions and a stronger voice for nurses.

Passionate about improving health care, Tracy brings a determined, hard-working spirit to every role. Outside of nursing, she enjoys life on her ranch, embracing the values of community and resilience.

Tracy is known for her fearless advocacy and unwavering commitment to supporting fellow nurses in all areas of health care, bringing a true cowboy-boot-wearing spirit to everything she does.

Carly Koeppen is a dedicated nurse and union activist. Since 2015, she has served as a steward, BCNU South Islands region mental health advocate, steward liaison, regional council member, and is currently the serving as her region’s lobby coordinator.

With a strong belief in unity and collaboration, Carly has developed deep appreciation of nurses’ workplace challenges and enforcing the collective agreement to support her colleagues. She is committed to ensuring nurses’ voices are heard and their rights protected.

Carly considers it an honour to represent the NBA and approaches her role with perseverance, curiosity, and dedication to the profession.

Jereme Bennett is a seasoned nurse and union activist with 23 years of experience, including five as an LPN and 17 as an RN. He has worked in neurosurgery, palliative care, and is currently program lead for Family Medicine at the University Hospital of Northern BC.

A 16-year BCNU steward, Jereme has held multiple leadership roles in the union, including regional OHS rep, treasurer and interim regional council member, and has served as BCNU North East regional treasurer since 2021. He also served on the 2023 Provincial Bargaining Committee, bringing frontline experience to contract negotiations.

Jereme is recognized for his deep understanding of nurses’ challenges and his determination to secure fair treatment and stronger protections for all members.

Roy Hansen is an RPN and fearless labour advocate with the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU), known for his strategic leadership and in-depth knowledge of the NBA collective agreement.  

Roy has worked as a full-time RPN since 2008. He has been a BCNU steward since 2013 and has held numerous leadership roles, including member organizer, BCNU Simon Fraser region professional responsibility advocate and Royal Columbian Hospital full-time steward. Roy was one of the two Acute Care – Large representatives during the last round of NBA Bargaining. He currently serves as Simon Fraser co-chair/regional council member.  

In 2012-2013, Roy led BCNU’s successful campaign to bring RPNs at Royal Columbian Hospital into the union. Respected for his fearless advocacy, Roy brings experience and a relentless commitment to protecting nurses’ rights across the province.

Scott Duvall currently serves as BCNU Thompson North Okanagan regional council member and previously served as the union’s interim provincial treasurer.

Since 2009, Scott has worked in emergency rooms and ICUs across his region. A 15-year BCNU steward, he has also served as the Thompson North Okanagan region’s communications secretary and treasurer before his election to BCNU Council in 2020.

Scott is based in Vernon, on the unceded lands and territory of the Okanagan peoples, and is a proud father of two grown sons. He is dedicated to fighting for the fair treatment of nurses and has been actively involved in labour advocacy and occupational health and safety.

Candi DeSousa is a First Nations (Lheidli T’enneh Nation) RN with 20 years of diverse nursing experience in rural, remote, and acute care settings. She currently serves as BCNU Okanagan Similkameen regional council member. 

Candi resides in the city of SnPink’tn, colonially known as Penticton, on the traditional territory of the Syilx Okanagan People, and is grateful to the Syilx Nation for their stewardship of the land she calls home.

Candi’s well-rounded clinical background includes experience in rural and remote communities such as Lillooet, Ashcroft, Logan Lake, and Keremeos, as well as acute care in centres like Penticton, Kamloops, and Burnaby. She has worked primarily in emergency departments, often providing care across multiple specialties in smaller communities.

Candi is passionate about mentoring new advocates and securing stronger workplace protections for nurses across BC. She has served as a BCNU member educator and on her regional executive in the roles of steward liaison and treasurer. Candi has also worked as a full-time steward and temporary labour relations officer. She served on the 2023 Provincial Bargaining Committee.