President's Message

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

As we say good-bye to the warm summer weather, we welcome the cooler, shorter days of a new season – a time for reflection and renewal. For each of you, it marks a time of continued dedication, as you balance the needs of your patients, colleagues, families and communities. As the backbone of our province’s health-care system, your unwavering commitment is at the heart of the care that British Columbians rely on every day.

The systemic health-care challenges we continue to face in our province’s hospitals, long-term care facilities and community care settings were on everyone’s mind during this year’s provincial election campaign. The grassroots activism and continued advocacy of so many BCNU members helped make health care a top ballot box issue. I want to thank every member who got involved with the election, particularly our team of member lobby coordinators, for helping make nurses’ voices a bigger part of the conversation than ever before.

With the final results now in, the new government’s razor-thin victory must serve as a powerful reminder to all political parties that British Columbians demand more from their elected officials. They expect their MLAs to work together to improve recruitment and retention and implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in all health-care settings – a nurse-led solution that is essential for the wellbeing of nurses and patients. BCNU will continue to be a bold and unwavering voice for nurses, holding all levels of government accountable in the coming months.

As we look to the future, I am inspired by the incredible work being done to improve both the working conditions of our members and the quality of patient care. In particular, your elected provincial Council and I are gearing up for the next round of provincial contract negotiations, which will begin next year. Since October, we have been engaging directly with many of you at a series of regional bargaining conferences. These gatherings, which will run into the new year, are an invaluable way of hearing directly from Nurses’ Bargaining Association members and amplifying your voices. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a strong, unified approach to the upcoming negotiations, putting your needs and priorities front and centre.

Members can rest assured that they will have strong representation in this upcoming round of collective bargaining. I would like to welcome the appointment of Jim Gould as BCNU CEO. Since joining us in January 2022, Jim has led several critical initiatives and was instrumental in negotiating the 2022-2025 Nurses’ Bargaining Association provincial collective agreement, which secured historic wage increases and benefits. In addition to his strong performance at the bargaining table, Jim also spearheaded securing a government commitment to implement nurse-to-patient ratios – a remarkable achievement 25 years in the making.

Education and professional development remain core priorities as we work to advance the nursing profession in BC. This November, many of you attended BCNU’s Human Rights and Equity Conference, where we reflected on the history of our profession while envisioning a more equitable and inclusive future. Discussions around workplace discrimination, advancing equity, and shaping a more inclusive health-care system have never been more important. By doing this work, we are not just improving workplace conditions but shaping the future of nursing itself.

Nurses know that we can accomplish amazing things when we work together. I encourage you to read our new Update Magazine column, CFNU View, which highlights the exciting work being done with our sister nursing unions at the national level. Together, we are amplifying the voice of BC’s nurses and ensuring that our province’s challenges are heard and addressed on the national stage.

As we look forward to spending time with loved ones this holiday season, I know many of you will be providing care while balancing commitments with family and friends. It is a testament to your dedication that you continue to show up, day after day, for the people of BC. Be sure to watch for BCNU’s holiday campaign over the next few weeks, which will educate the public on the critical work nurses do. I encourage you to share this campaign with your communities, so the public understands the vital role you play in the health and well-being of all British Columbians.

As we inch closer to ringing in a new year, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the work you do each and every day. You are the backbone of our health-care system, and together, we will continue to build a stronger, more resilient future—for our profession, our patients, and our communities.

In solidarity,

Adriane Gear
President, BC Nurses' Union