B.C. premier says mediator has been appointed in nurses’ union dispute

The provincial government says a mediator is being appointed in B.C.’s nurses’ dispute as the union steps up its job action.

Premier David Eby says the goal is to get the nurses back to work as soon as possible.

This announcement comes a day after the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) set up picket lines at both Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre. On Thursday, it announced more job action was coming.

“The dispute between B.C.’s nurses and health employers is entering a significantly new phase, with job action expanding to additional hospitals and care centres across the province following the breakdown of negotiations and the declaration of an impasse again at the bargaining table,” it said.

“Beginning this weekend, picket lines will extend beyond Vancouver to major health-care facilities across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, increasing pressure on the provincial government to intervene and deliver a mandate that allows meaningful bargaining.”

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The union began the first phase of job action at 12:01 p.m. July 2, with BCNU president Adriane Gear saying this came after members had not had a “meaningful response” from health employers since issuing a 72-hour strike notice June 29. At the time, Gear told CityNews the job action involved banning non-nursing duties and restricting overtime.

The first picket lines were set up at Vancouver General Hospital Tuesday morning.

Unless the situation changes, the BCNU said Thursday, picket lines will be set up at the following health-care centres:

• Sunday, July 12: Victoria General Hospital;
• Monday, July 13: Nanaimo Regional General Hospital; and
• Tuesday, July 14: Royal Jubilee Hospital and South Island Surgical Centre.

“Essential services will remain in place throughout the job action to ensure urgent and emergency care continues and patient safety remains protected,” the union said.

— With files from The Canadian Press