Nurses' Union President Declared Ineligible to Remain in Office

Delegates to the union's annual convention being held in Vancouver this week were informed of the decision this morning. Union CEO Umar Sheikh provided BCNU members with a confidential in-camera report outlining in detail the process that led to Council's decision to declare Duteil no longer a Member in Good Standing pursuant to Article 2.11 of the union's bylaws. As a result of Council's declaration, Duteil is no longer entitled to hold office or attend meetings.

Council had earlier passed a no confidence resolution last June, and had placed Duteil on administrative leave last September pending the outcome of an investigation into her conduct while acting in her capacity as BCNU president. The findings from that investigation, conducted by veteran arbitrators Vince Ready and Judi Korbin, were submitted to the union on April 25. Information from the investigation and other relevant information was considered by Council in reaching its decision. No further information on this investigation can be commented on or made public at this time.

The Ready-Korbin report follows a February 2018 decision by arbitrator Tom Hodges which found Duteil had engaged in communications with the union's Provincial Nominations Committee during the BCNU's 2017 Provincial Election in a manner that amounted to a flagrant attempt to threaten, interfere with and manipulate the Committee's processes.

Former BCNU Acting President Christine Sorensen has now assumed the role of president.

Duteil has the right, pursuant to Article 2.12 of the union's bylaws, to apply to have a union Hearing Board convened to hear the merits of Council's declaration that she has ceased to be a Member in Good Standing.