BCNU thanks nurses for convincing the provincial government to sign Bill 18 into law
Enabling
Licensed Practical Nurses to join other nurses in the same bargaining
association will improve patient care by maximizing efficiencies and
collaboration among nurses and with employers.
The
BC Nurses’ Union thanks nurses around the province for the
determination they’ve shown in convincing the provincial government to
sign Bill 18 into law.
The
law – 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 professional nurses in the Nurses’
Bargaining Association and be part of the provincial nurses’ contract.
They’re currently covered by contracts for healthcare support staff.
“This
will improve patient care significantly by making things smooth,
seamless and efficient in discussions with our employers,” says BCNU
president Debra McPherson. “It puts all nurses under the same umbrella
and will enable us all – Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric
Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses – to collaborate on ways to provide
quality patient care.
“We
also appreciate 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.”
McPherson
says the government’s decision came about because of a strong campaign
mounted by many nurses – including RNs and RPNs as well as LPNs – to
convince MLAs and the Cabinet to do the right thing.
“The
petitions, postcards, emails and phone calls showed just how determined
nurses are to unite in one union and into one structure for the purpose
of negotiating and administrating our collective agreement, which
governs our relationship with our employers” McPherson says.
Last
year 7,200 LPNs employed directly by health authorities voted to join
BCNU and leave their former unions of healthcare support workers. Bill
18 also covers LPNs who work for health authority affiliates, who will
continue to be represented by other unions until they chose otherwise. A
majority of LPNs in 49 of affiliated worksites have applied to the
Labour Relations Board for a representation vote of their own. Also
covered by Bill 18 are LPNs now in the Community Bargaining Association.
Provisions
affecting LPNs will be moved from their current contracts and added to
the existing nurses’ contract. There will be no contract changes until
the next round of bargaining in 2014.
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