"Nurse + Nurse" is now a reality! BCNU thanks members for convincing the provincial government to sign Bill 18 into law

Bill 18 - which was passed by the Legislature last month - expands the definition of nurse to include Licensed Practical Nurses. It enables LPNs to negotiate alongside other nurses in the Nurses' Bargaining Association and be part of the nurses' Provincial Collective Agreement.

The move will enable better collaboration about ways to improve patient care and eliminate competition among unions in discussions with employers about issues like skill mix changes.

BCNU appreciates the government's action in signing the necessary Order-in-Council as one of its last items of business before the beginning of the provincial election campaign.

The government's decision came about because of a strong and determined nurses' campaign involving petitions, postcards, emails and phone calls from many members - including RNs and RPNs as well as LPNs - to convince MLAs and the Cabinet to do the right thing.

Who's covered by Bill 18?

• The 7,200 LPNs employed directly by five health authorities and Providence Health Care who voted decisively last year to join BCNU.
• About 1,200 LPNs working for health authority affiliates who are currently covered by the Facilities contract. They will continue to be represented at the NBA by their current unions, but BCNU has applied for representation votes at affiliates where a majority of LPNs have signed cards to join BCNU.
• Several hundred LPNs in the Community Bargaining Association. They'll also come to the NBA with their current unions.

What happens to LPN contract provisions in the Facilities (FBA) agreement?

Provisions affecting LPNs will be moved out of their current contracts and added into the nurses' provincial contract. Terms and conditions won't change until they are negotiated in the next round of provincial bargaining in 2014.

When does it take effect?

It took effect today, once the Health Minister announced the signing of the Order-in-Council.