Premier says nurses contract would bring labour peace
Posted February 26, 2013 6:52 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – BC Premier Christy Clark says the government is in the early stages of talks about a 10-year contract with the nurses’ union.
She says such a deal would bring labour peace to hospitals, and that similar discussions have taken place with teachers to create stability for students.
Last week, presidents of the province’s six health authorities sent a letter to the Health Employers Association of BC, which was involved in the talks with nurses, saying they hadn’t been informed of any such discussions.
The presidents said a long-term agreement with the nurses’ union does not necessarily protect the health-care system as other unions with shorter contracts could disrupt operations.
Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says any deal with nurses would have to be ratified by the health authorities, which have now been contacted about the very informal discussions so far.
The nurses’ current two-year contract will expire in March 2014, and the union has said it’s not interested in a 10-year deal.
