BCNU Requests Legal Guarantee to Protect Chiron Nurses' Contract

BCNU members employed by Chiron Health Services had their voices heard, following a meeting held March 28. The purpose of the meeting was to share information that the union has gathered from BCNU stewards and activists regarding the October 1, 2017 transition to the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

BCNU President Gayle Duteil has written a letter to PHSA President Carl Roy, requesting a written guarantee that all BCNU members employed within the 10 Chiron worksites have their employment guaranteed with no loss of seniority salary, benefits, pensions or status.

Over the past few months, Chiron has not been filling the vacancies where replacement employees are needed. Therefore, the legal guarantee the BCNU is requesting is needed to discourage employees from seeking employment elsewhere. BCNU is concerned that without this guarantee, correction facilities will be left without appropriate staffing levels. The BCNU is seeking confirmation of this guarantee by April 28, 2017.

The process of merging the appropriate collective agreements will have to be negotiated between the appropriate parties. The BCNU believes this organizational change from Chiron Health Services to PHSA, if managed properly, will be for the benefit of members and will improve the care for clients.

The present collective agreement ends on March 31, 2017. BCNU has invited Chiron management to meet to negotiate a 6-month extension which would end on September 30, 2017.