Union Pressures Employers to Take a Logical Approach to Apply Long-Service Pay Rates

November 30, 2023

Nurses hired prior to Oct. 1, 2013 would have to resign their positions and seek re-hire in order to have their previous experience recognized

Union negotiators are extremely frustrated with health authorities that have adopted a cumbersome and disrespectful approach to applying long-service pay rates (“Add Pay”). BCNU has expressed serious concerns to the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) over the egregious and misguided interpretation taken by health authorities to recognize members’ experience. This, after hearing from more than 1,000 members who do not meet the criteria outlined in the Oct. 30 bulletin, who would be deemed eligible by their employer for recognition of relevant nursing experience under Article 52 or Article 11.04(F)(2)(C) if they were hired today.

Of those who do not meet the current criteria, more than 75 percent have documentation to prove their employment history.

The ill-conceived interpretation of the language by employers presents an unintended consequence for those members who do not meet the eligibility criteria: that they would be better off resigning and seeking reemployment in order to receive the wage rate they have earned.

Important Reminders

Members who believe their employer has not recognized their full previous nursing experience can submit a one-time application for ‘Add Pay’ through their employers.

The deadline to submit this one-time application for 'Add Pay' to your employer is Dec. 31.

Members who do not meet the criteria outlined in the Oct. 30 bulletin, who would be deemed eligible by their employer for recognition of relevant nursing experience under Article 52 or Article 11.04(F)(2)(C) if they were hired today, are encouraged to log in to the BCNU Member Portal and complete the union’s Add Pay Application Eligibility form.

Members whose applications have been denied, or who disagree with the rationale for denial, and who would like to appeal the decision, should visit the BCNU Member Portal and complete the union’s Add Pay Denial Appeals form.

The intent of the language negotiated in the 2022-2025 Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) provincial collective agreement was to recognize nurses with upwards of 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of experience. This recognition was negotiated to retain those nurses with invaluable knowledge and mentorship potential in the health-care system and help address the critical nursing shortage we face.

The union will continue to pressure employers and is committed to keeping the membership apprised of the issue.