President's Message

UNITED FOR THE WORK AHEAD

What a year it has been! Since January, your BCNU leadership and regional council members have been hard at work, meeting with members from across the province, advocating at all levels of government, speaking out in the media and defending members’ rights in workplaces. 

While all of the union’s work is important, I know that one issue is top of mind for many BCNU members: contract negotiations for the next Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) provincial collective agreement. 

This year, we held three of the seven regional bargaining conferences including our human rights and equity conference, culminating in the provincial bargaining conference in February. BCNU members from all parts of BC gathered to set bargaining priorities and elect members to the NBA bargaining committee and provincial job action committee. Delegates also took to the streets in an energetic rally, shutting down the intersection of Burrard and Georgia in downtown Vancouver, demanding that all health employers make health care better. 

Behind the scenes, our union has worked tirelessly to ensure that every member has opportunities to give input into the bargaining process. We released several education modules on the BCNU Member Portal to help all members understand the bargaining process and the critical role each of us will play in this round. To keep members informed, we launched a new web-based BCNU app in November, bringing members closer to the bargaining table than ever before. 

When we launched our benefits-focused survey in October, more than 22,000 members took part, and you made it clear: benefits are the number one priority in this round of bargaining. Rather than dealing with benefits through bargaining, alongside wages, staffing, safety and workload, employers have chosen to push the issue into arbitration. With the recent decision by Arbitrator Vince Ready directing the NBA and health employers to set a new date to select and implement a benefits plan model by Jan. 30, 2026, your union is ready to fight back with every tool available. 

As many of you know too well, unacceptable conditions continue to plague health-care workplaces. BCNU members are exposed to violence on a daily basis, and do not feel that their employer is doing enough to keep them safe. 

With an average of 46 WorkSafeBC time-loss claims resulting from violence each month, it’s long past the time for serious action. That’s why we brought our 10 Violence Prevention Asks directly to politicians of all stripes during our Victoria meet-and-greet event in October. Our plan calls on the BC government and health authorities to take concrete steps to prevent violence against nurses and build safe health-care workplaces.

We know that in nursing, there is safety in numbers. Minimum nurse-to-patient ratios are an evidence-based solution proven to reduce patient mortality and help mitigate the risk of violence exacerbated by inadequate staffing. Without them, retention and recruitment become even more difficult. That’s why we continue to urge the provincial government to fulfil its promise to fully implement ratios. We also strongly encourage members to get involved. You can have your say in focus groups and surveys, help monitor ratios at your worksite, familiarize yourself with the Ministry of Health ratios policy directive or contact your regional ratio representatives with questions about implementation.

As we approach the holidays, while many Canadians take time off, thousands of BCNU members continue to provide high-quality patient care throughout the season. To honour this hard work and dedication, we launched our holiday ad campaign on December 8. Running on TV, in select Cineplex theatres and across social media, the ad thanks nurses for being there when their patients and communities need them the most. A companion radio tribute, An Ode to Nurses, is also on-air province-wide throughout the holiday season.

Although 2025 has been a busy year filled with challenges, the unity and fighting spirit I’ve witnessed among BCNU members has deeply inspired me. I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished together. 

As we move into the critical months ahead, we are committed to aggressively advancing members’ interests. One thing will determine the outcome of this round of bargaining: our unity. After the decision from Arbitrator Ready, our solidarity is more important than ever, and it is critical that members stay informed and engaged. If we show up for one another, participate fully and stay engaged, we are an unstoppable force.

To my fellow BCNU members – thank you for your participation over the past year. I look forward to working with you to build a brighter future for all nurses in BC.

In solidarity,

Adriane Gear
President, BC Nurses' Union