Facilities workers' job action: What it means for BCNU members

May 09, 2014

Healthcare workers across the province who are members of the Facilities' Bargaining Association (FBA) and who are direct employees of the BC Government have voted strongly in favour of going on strike.

BC Nurses' Union members will be directly affected by any job action undertaken by the Hospital Employees' Union or other unions belonging to the FBA. However, FBA negotiations with the Health Employers Association of BC are ongoing and job action is not anticipated at this time.

In the event of a strike, health employers will be legally obligated to reduce all staffing down to Labour Relations Board-ordered essential service levels. This means that Nurses' Bargaining Association Essential Services levels will be in place. The BCNU Essential Services plan at your worksite will determine those members who are deemed essential and those who are not required to report for work. Members not deemed essential should not cross a picket line.

What to do if you encounter a picket line

BCNU is NOT in a legal position to strike, but it is expected that we will respect other union's picket lines.

If you are a BCNU member and you encounter a picket line set up by the HEU or another union, DO NOT CROSS. Call your steward for instructions. If unable to make contact with your steward, call BCNU's toll free number 1-800-663-9991 or 433-2268.

Please note: this is an advance warning message as BCNU HAS NOT been notified of any imminent HEU picket lines going up at this time.

Please contact your BCNU regional chair for more information. A list of regional chairs can be found in your BCNU Update magazine and on the website: Home>About BCNU>Leadership.