BCNU Update Summer/Fall 2025

UPDATE SUMMER/FALL 2025

M A G A Z I N E

MEET THE NBA BARGAINING COMMITTEE

PLUS

CONVENTION 2025 RECAP

A PORTRAIT OF A SYSTEM IN CRISIS BCNU DEMANDS EMPLOYERS ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST NURSES

NURSING CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS | FIGHTING FOR UNATTACHED PATIENTS ALL IN FOR NURSING POWER AT CFNU CONVENTION | HEALING THROUGH CULTURAL CONNECTION

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

SEPT. 30

2025

RAVEN STEALS THE LIGHT BY ERIC PRYTULA

BCNU recognizes the devastating legacy of Canada’s residential school system and the ongoing harms of settler colonialism. The union is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples – a commitment that is necessary and reflective of our values.

Together we can reflect, learn and take action to advance meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Take meaningful steps toward truth and reconciliation by: > Wearing orange on Sept. 30 Support Orange Shirt Day by wearing a shirt designed by a local Indigenous artist.

Orange Shirt Society

> Using the 94 Calls to Action as your guide The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada identified 94 steps to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. > Applying Indigenous cultural safety in your practice BC College of Nurses and Midwives practice standards on Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism help address systemic racism and strengthen trust with Indigenous patients and communities. > Learning whose land you’re on Learn more about the ways Canada dispossesses Indigenous people of the land – and the strategies Indigenous communities are using to get it back.

94 Calls to Action

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Yellowhead institute

CONTENTS

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT GUIDING LIGHTS

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CONVENTION 2025 BCNU MEMBERS ARE BOLD, COMMITTED AND UNITED P. 18

News and events from around the province.

13 NURSING CONNECTIONS BCNU forges relationships with local government officials to build support.

FEATURE

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15 MEET THE TEAM Get to know the Nurses’ Bargaining Association Bargaining Committee.

36 UNITED FOR PATIENT SAFETY At a community hospital, a team of BCNU members is taking action for vulnerable patients.

39 HEALING THROUGH CULTURAL CONNECTION EDMP reps are building a holistic program to support nurses through injuries and illness.

44 SENIOR NURSES’ NETWORK An interview with Melina Kerrivan and Sherrill Harmer.

A PORTRAIT OF A SYSTEM IN CRISIS

BCNU demands employers address violence against nurses.

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MOVING? NEW EMAIL?

UPDATE M A G A Z I N E

MISSION STATEMENT The British Columbia Nurses’ Union protects and advances the health, safety, social and economic well-being of our members, our profession and our communities.

BCNU UPDATE MAGAZINE is published by the BC Nurses’ Union, an independent Canadian union governed by a council selected by our more than 50,000 members. Signed articles do not necessarily represent official BCNU policies.

EDITOR Eva Prkachin CONTRIBUTORS Jaelyn Bartnik, Juliet Chang, Tina Cheung, Neil Fisher, Joel French, Adriane Gear, Jim Gould, Lexi Huffman, Kent Hurl, Kath Kitts, Shawn Leclair, Lew MacDonald, Courtney McGillion, Conley Mosterd, Christa Tran PHOTOS CFNU, Neil Fisher, Joel French, Kellan Higgins, Peter Holst, Lexi Huffman, Kent Hurl, Kath Kitts, Lew MacDonald, Conley Mosterd, Eva Prkachin, Anthony Redpath CONTACT US

STAY CONNECTED When you move, please let BCNU know your new address so we can keep sending you Update Magazine, election information and other vital union material.

Send us your home email address and we’ll send you BCNU’s member eNews.

Please contact the membership department by email at membership@bcnu.org or by phone at 604-433-2268 or 1-800-663-9991

BCNU Communications Department 4060 Regent Street Burnaby, BC, V5C 6P5 PHONE 604-433-2268 TOLL FREE 1-800-663-9991 BCNU WEBSITE www.bcnu.org EMAIL EDITOR evaprkachin@bcnu.org MOVING? Please send change of address to membership@bcnu.org Publications Mail Agreement 40834030 BCNU respectfully acknowledges its offices are located on the traditional, unceded and ancestral lands of Indigenous communities across the lands now known as British Columbia.

Update Magazine is produced at the BCNU head office in Burnaby, which is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xwmə kwəýəm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səĺilẃəta (Tsleil Waututh) nations whose historical relationships to the land continue to this day.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT IN EVERY CORNER, NURSES LEAD

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PHOTO: PETER HOLST

ADRIANE GEAR

HIS SUMMER, I HAD THE privilege of visiting nurses working on the North Island and across northern BC – from the North Island Hospital in the Comox Valley to Terraceview Lodge in Terrace to community care programs in Prince Rupert. Meeting members where they work and hearing their stories was both powerful and inspiring. I returned energized and deeply proud.

Despite immense pressures and heavier workloads, our members continue to lead, advocate and deliver compassionate care every day.

While I was on the road, the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) Provincial Bargaining Committee was also out connecting with members across every health authority. These conversations matter – they help shape our priorities as we head into collective bargaining.

I am excited to begin negotiations this fall as chair of the NBA Bargaining Committee – my first NBA contract as BCNU president. Despite the economic challenges the province faces, we deserve a contract that respects nurses for the incredible value we bring to the health-care system. We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to defend the benefits our members have worked hard to secure – members should also be prepared to use their collective power as well.

Recently, we entered phase one of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios implementation – a milestone years in the making. However, progress has been uneven, with some health authorities slow to act. That’s unacceptable. I encourage members to participate in focus groups or surveys and help monitor ratios at your worksites – this real-time feedback helps us hold the employer accountable.

At the same time, violence in health-care settings is reaching crisis levels. We’re doing everything we can to raise awareness and demand that health authorities start doing their job to keep BCNU members safe, including hosting a rally at our annual convention to end violence in health care and speaking out in the media. Let me be

absolutely clear: Violence is not part of the job.

To our newly elected stewards – and to those continuing in their roles – thank you. Being chosen by your peers is a powerful reflection of the trust they place in you. Your role is vital to the strength of our union.

As we look toward September, I encourage every member to take part in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a time for reflection, learning and meaningful action.

This past June, at the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) Biennial Convention in Niagara Falls, nurses from across the country joined together for a public health-care system that leaves no one behind. A powerful moment was the formal apology delivered by the CFNU National Executive Board – including myself and Vice-President Tristan Newby – to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples for the ongoing harms experienced in the health-care system.

Tristan also recently represented BCNU at the Council of the Federation, joining a policy breakfast with Canada’s premiers to present research showing that nursing is a safety-critical industry that must be prioritized.

As Labour Day approaches, be sure to listen for our special BCNU radio message, where we honor the dedication of nurses and highlight our ongoing fight for safer workplaces and better health care for everyone.

What stays with me most from my time with members in the last few months is a deep and lasting sense of pride – not just in the work nurses do, but in how you support each other through it all.

Every conversation reminded me why we fight: not only for fair conditions, but for a health-care system that works – for everyone. I look forward to continuing to meet and engage with members across the province in the months ahead.

In solidarity,

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T THE beginning of 2025, BCNU Council, President Gear and I identified three key priorities that will shape the union’s work throughout the year: bargaining, minimum nurseto-patient ratios and enforcing members’ rights.

These are not just strategic priorities – they reflect the fundamental issues common to nurses across BC. They also represent powerful opportunities for BCNU to drive bold, transformative change that improves working conditions for nurses while strengthening the delivery of quality, safe patient care.

Negotiating the next Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) contract is top of mind. With multiple public sector contracts expiring, a staggering $10.9 billion projected provincial deficit and economic uncertainty due to strained relationships with the US, we are likely heading into a very tough round of bargaining.

And yet, your bargaining team is ready for this challenge. But we need members to get prepared too.

BCNU is fully committed to ensuring that every member has an opportunity to shape these negotiations. The provincial collective agreement represents the solidarity, grit

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and determination of the BCNU members who have fought for it over the last 44 years, and it must reflect your voice as well. I encourage you to fill out the NBA bargaining survey, review the bargaining materials the union sends you and participate in every union meeting you can. Watch for a benefits-specific bargaining survey in the fall and take the time to fill it out.

We are also doubling down on our efforts to ensure health authorities implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. Our recent conversations with the government of BC confirm their commitment to ratios as well. In units where ratios are taking effect, we’re hearing powerful success stories: improved patient outcomes, higher morale and a renewed sense of hope among members.

Down the road, we will share more of these success stories with the membership.

While the full benefits of ratios will emerge with time, especially in settings where implementation is just getting started, this critical policy will reshape the working experience for nurses across the province. We will hold employers accountable at every step.

Even as we celebrate progress in bargaining prep and ratio implementation, one issue remains gravely

JIM GOULD urgent: the escalation in violence against nurses.

We will continue to use every available tool to hold employers accountable and demand better protections for BCNU members.

Supporting nurses in the fight for safe workplaces is deeply personal to me. My mother was a nurse who was seriously injured on the job by a patient. That moment changed her life – and mine. No one should have to fear for their safety while providing care.

Since taking the CEO role in 2022, I’ve been honoured to serve as BCNU’s most senior staff member, and I’m energized and excited to work side by side with members, Council and BCNU staff to tackle these three priorities.

There will be many challenges ahead, but I am confident there will also be tremendous progress because we are stronger together. •

CHECK IN THE LATEST NEWS

UNION ANNIVERSARY BUILDS PRIDE

BCNU SUPPORT PAGE BCNU IS CONSTANTLY WORKING TO BETTER empower members and improve the services it delivers.

The new BCNU support page, launched in March, gives members more self-serve options to resolve issues with their membership profile and enables them to report health and safety hazards to their union – at any time of day.

“BCNU is always exploring ways to provide resources to our members when they need them. We recognize that members need assistance from the union with many different topics,” said BCNU President Adriane Gear. “The BCNU support page is a valuable resource for members to get the help they need.”

BCNU has created this new digital platform to enable members to make requests, ask questions and raise concerns related to their membership profile and operational health and safety (OHS). The support page is open to all BCNU members, including current members, stewards, student members and retired members.

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CNU HAS A proud history dating to June 11, 1981, when 200 nurses came together at the Empress Hotel in Victoria to demand better working conditions, quality patient care and a stronger health-care system. This event marked the official founding of the union, and since then, members have celebrated June 11 as BCNU Day. The tradition continued this year with the return of the ever-popular BCNU Day quiz, which tested members’ knowledge about the role of stewards and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

Randomly drawn winners from each of BCNU’s 16

Support page users can submit membership requests, including: • Help with accessing or making changes in the BCNU Member Portal • Questions about worksite info provided to BCNU • Receiving Retired Member eNews • Any support request that would previously go to membership@bcnu.org The OHS – Prevention section of the support page focuses on workplace physical and psychological safety programs, particularly hazard identification, assessment and controls to improve safety at work.

regions won a complete set of Canadian-made scrubs.

Regional council members from across the province held local events to celebrate the day. The Vancouver Metro, Thompson North Okanagan and Okanagan Similkameen regions gave out ice cream.

Fraser Valley region members handed out snacks and swag.

BCNU stewards in the North East region took celebrations to the next level, holding an education day on the collective agreement and bargaining, followed by the second annual BCNU Amazing Race. Participants took to the streets of Prince George, searching for answers to quiz questions based on the collective agreement. •

WORTH CELEBRATING Members across the province took part in BCNU Day celebrations this June. 1. Student nurses from Langara College enjoy free ice cream at Mount St. Joseph hospital. 2. BCNU North East region members Hanna Embree, Rachel Peever, Leo Gauley and Jereme Bennett.

3. BCNU Fraser Valley steward Wiljo Thomas John stands with Pooja Batra and regional Men in Nursing Network rep Satinder Gulati.

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Support page users can submit OHS – Prevention questions and concerns, including: • Workplace hazards • Incident reporting and investigation • Health and Safety in the workplace To submit a request, scan the QR code, then choose Membership Request or OHS – Prevention Request. You can also review the Membership and OHS FAQs for more information.

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NURSING POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD

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OUR MEMBERS proudly represented BCNU at the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress, held this June in Helsinki, Finland.

BCNU North West region member Jessica Dahl, Okanagan Similkameen members José-Louis Huberdeau and Jacqueline Guest and Shaughnessy Heights member Keara Manrique were among the nearly 7,000 nurses from over 100 countries who came together to share expertise and explore solutions to global challenges in nursing.

Centred around the theme “Nursing Power to Change the World,” the biennial ICN Congress spotlighted nurses

as transformative leaders in health care. Attendees heard from high-profile speakers, including WHO Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Amelia Tuipulotu, New Zealand’s former Prime Minister and Health Minister Helen Clark and BCNU’s professional practice and advocacy manager Tarya Morel, who spoke on a panel with University of Pennsylvania researcher Dr. Linda Aiken about minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

Dahl described the experience as both enlightening and inspiring.

“There is a nursing crisis globally, with an urgent need for safe staffing, fair wages and improved working conditions,” said Dahl. “After hearing stories, strategies

and wins from nurses around the world, it made me recognize that our fight is part of something bigger. We have the power to shape a safer, more fair and more sustainable health-care system.”

Participant Jaqueline Guest singled out a plenary session led by Professor Linda Aiken from the University of Pennsylvania, which focused on minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. The session highlighted the success of ratios in California and Australia, where they have significantly improved patient outcomes and nurse retention. To her, these insights emphasized the urgency and importance of BCNU’s current work.

“It encouraged me to get more involved, especially as

GLOBAL EXCHANGE BCNU sent members Jessica Dahl, José-Louis Huberdeau, Jacqueline Guest and Keara Manrique to the ICN Congress in Helsinki, Finland, as part of its National Nursing Week celebrations.

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I work toward completing my nursing degree,” said Guest. “Being active in our union is one of the best ways to be a part of moving things forward.”

Participants left the congress with a clear message: nurses hold the power to drive change, not just at the bedside, but at every level of health care. “Let’s be clear, nursing has the power to care, to heal, to save lives and to change the world,” said ICN Chief Executive Howard Catton.

Now back home, these BCNU members are more determined than ever to strengthen nursing leadership and advocate for the profession – locally and beyond. •

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OUT AND ABOUT At local events, worksites and national gatherings, BCNU members show their expertise, pride and love for their communities

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S TEMPERATURES RISE AND SKIES clear, BCNU members have been getting lots of fresh air in communities across the province. They’ve engaged with other BCNU members, health-care workers and the public at worksites, local events and anywhere there’s a chance to get active and build support for nurses’ priorities.

Meanwhile, BCNU leadership and regional elected members have also been out and about, meeting with members at worksites across the province and taking opportunities to join national conversations about health care. Vice-President Tristan Newby and BCNU CEO Jim Gould joined the Canadian Federation of Nurses Union in July at Council of the Federation meetings in Ottawa, an annual gathering that brings together all 13 provincial and territorial premiers. They were there to call on premiers to better support nurses and implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios so that staffing decisions are based on safety – not dollars and cents.

IN THE COMMUNITY 1. Selina Staples, Anna Hamsing and Ramona Ludwar carry the BCNU banner through the streets of Williams Lake during the annual Stampede Parade.

2. Members of BCNU’s North East region celebrate National Nursing Week 3. BCNU Coastal Mountain region members spent time at qathet General Hospital in Powell River on June 29 to conduct union education. 4. BCNU CEO Jim Gould sits with BC Premier David Eby and BCNU Vice-President Tristan Newby at the Council of the Federation meeting in Ottawa in July. 5. BCNU Thompson North Okanagan region 2SLGBTQ+ Co-reps Laura Dion and Ria Dubios participate in the Kamloops Pride Parade. 6. BCNU Simon Fraser region members Jag Judge, Sasha Harrison-Dyer, Tash Minwalla and Navjot Kaur Saini at Surrey’s Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade. 7.

BCNU Pacific Rim interim council member Deidre Knudson, steward and interim mental health rep Perry Assu, steward Emily Hill, BCNU President Adriane Gear and steward Shawna Atkinson during President Gear’s visit to North Islands Hospital Comox Valley. 8. BCNU President Adriane Gear, Jennifer Lott, Peter Gill and Edwin Empinado at Kitimat General Hospital during President Gear’s tour of northern BC.

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In June and July, President Gear spent time in BCNU’s Pacific Rim, North East and North West regions, speaking to members about ratios and encouraging them to speak up about their benefits as the union prepares for collective bargaining later this year. During her visit, she heard directly from members about key issues specific to these regions, including ongoing challenges with retention and recruitment, and the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

The Nurses’ Bargaining Association provincial bargaining committee has also been hard at work educating members about what’s at stake in this round of negotiations and gathering input.

Look for them in your units in the coming weeks and months, and don’t forget to fill out the NBA bargaining survey and the upcoming benefits survey in the fall. • Learn more about the NBA Bargaining Committee on p. 15.

Find out about how you can join BCNU community events at bcnu.org/news-andevents/events-calendar or scan the QR code. If you attend a BCNU local event, make sure to snap a few shots and send them to communicationsdepartment@bcnu.org so we can share them on social media and in Update Magazine!

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OUT AND ABOUT 1. President Adriane Gear stands with several BCNU North West region members in Smithers. 2. BCNU members Justine Musey and Tracy Musey march in the Kamloops Pride Parade. 3. BCNU Shaughnessy Heights region member Cordelia Merritt during National Nursing Week celebrations. 4. Members of the BCNU Thompson North Okanagan region and their families joined the BCNU contingent at the Kamloops Pride Parade. (Top) Bette Jo Tunks, Ria Dubois, Julie Bodden, Justine Musey, Tracy Musey, Ory Stewart, Debra Moorhouse, Laura Dion.

(Bottom) Jade Jagt, Michael Leader, Mary-Ann Leader and Lucy Leader.

5. BCNU North East region members participate in the BCNU Day scavenger hunt in Prince George. 6. BCNU Simon Fraser region members from Royal Columbian Hospital enjoy the food truck at a mini-regional event. 7. BCNU members from across the province participated in the BCNU Thompson North Okanagan region’s Men in Nursing Network Golf Tournament at Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club. L. to R, Karl Hystad, David Burrill, Valerie (Joseph) Kristjanson, Topher Hansen, Rick Priefer, Stefan Bigsby, Scott Duvall and Len Rose.

IN ONE VOICE Nurses rally to save public health care at the biennial CFNU convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

CFNU CONVENTION

ALL IN FOR NURSING POWER Nurses strengthen commitment to public health care, truth and reconciliation at CFNU biennial convention

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LOSE TO 1,200 unionized nurses from across Canada gathered in Niagara Falls, Ontario, from June 2–6 for the 22nd convention of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), the country’s largest nurses’ organization. The event’s theme, ‘All In,’ captured nurses’ dedication to their work and their communities – and their resolve to fight for a public health-care system that leaves no one behind.

The biennial meeting began with a sunrise ceremony led by Indigenous Elder and Knowledge Keeper Valarie King of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The ceremony set the tone for the event, which examined the role of Canada’s nurses in advancing truth and reconciliation.

The first session featured a panel on

“Health care is a human right, not an opportunity for profit.”

CFNU President Linda Silas

Indigenous health discussing CFNU’s new report, Beyond Equity: Taking Action to Address Indigenous-Specific Racism in Nursing. BCNU Okanagan Similkameen regional council member Candi DeSousa was a panel participant, and spoke about the BCNU Indigenous Leadership Circle’s ongoing work to fight anti-Indigenous racism in health care.

CFNU National Executive Board members, including BCNU President Adriane Gear and Vice President

Tristan Newby, issued a formal apology to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples for the harms they’ve faced in health care. Board members acknowledged the ongoing effects of colonization and racism on Indigenous patients.

CFNU President Linda Silas stressed that action must follow apology, saying that nurses “are committed to standing up for Indigenous peoples’ safety and inclusion.”

The convention featured a night of inspiring speakers, including Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Leigh Chapman, who talked about the need for national collaboration in advocating for patients. Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske also addressed delegates, bringing a message of solidarity from workers across the country and highlighting the urgency of addressing health staffing shortages.

“Staffing shortages are pushing our health-care system to the brink – and it’s health-care workers and patients who are paying the price,” said Bruske. “Canada’s unions are all in and united in demanding swift action to strengthen public health care.”

Over two educational days, delegates explored a range of workshops on nurses’ psychological wellness,

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NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS 1. BCNU Vice-President Tristan Newby chairs CFNU’s Constitution Committee 2. BCNU’s professional practice and advocacy manager Tarya Morel and Michelle Mahon from National Nurses United share strategies for implementing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. 3. BCNU Coastal Mountain region member Genevieve Dallimore attends a workshop.

the social determinants of health, minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, migrant worker experiences and fostering diversity and equity in health care.

One notable session focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in health care.

Panelist Chris Nielsen, from National Nurses United in the US, told participants that nurses need to be directly involved in AI development. “Nurses don’t just follow orders. They think, they feel, they advocate,” he said. “AI can’t take your place. But it might try unless we set the rules.”

BCNU representatives co-facilitated several workshops. BCNU North West regional council member Teri Forster helped lead a workshop on the impacts of climate change on nursing practice.

The session explored how climate change is increasing heat-related illnesses, PTSD, asthma, infection and malnutrition. The workshop also high-

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lighted how nurses can promote sustainable health-care systems and harness opportunities for change.

“Nurses can help mitigate the impacts of climate change and become leading advocates for sustainability,” said Forster. “It’s about making different choices, so that we don’t create waste to begin with.”

Tarya Morel, BCNU’s manager of professional practice and advocacy, participated on a panel about the critical role minimum nurse-to-patient ratios play in delivering safe, high-quality care.

The session highlighted evidence-based strategies for improving ratios, including policy advocacy and innovative care models that support patients and all health-care workers.

CANADA’S NURSES ARE ALL IN

Delegates held a powerful antiprivatization demonstration on the

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final day of the convention, calling on the federal government to take action to preserve Canada’s public healthcare system.

“Health care is a human right, not an opportunity for profit,” said CFNU President Silas. “Everyone in Canada deserves to know that their health-care system will always be there when they need it – no matter their income, their job or where they come from.”

At the end of the gathering, Silas delivered a rallying cry for nurses across Canada.

“We’re going to say ‘no’,” she declared. “‘No’ to employers who don’t condemn violence, ‘no’ to unsafe staffing. ‘No’ to being silenced, dismissed or ignored.”

As the convention drew to a close, delegates left feeling united and determined to push for a safer, more inclusive and accessible public healthcare system for all Canadians. •

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LOCAL RECOGNITION BCNU regional councillors and lobby coordinators met with local elected officials across BC to build support for nurses’ priorities. 1. BCNU North West regional council member Teri Forster, Prince Rupert mayor Herb Pond, North West region lobby coordinator Marlee Emery and North East regional council member Danette Thomsen. 2. BCNU Shaughnessy Heights region lobby coordinator Baljit Fajardo, Simon Fraser region lobby coordinator Melissa Stodola, Vancouver Metro region lobby coordinator Cara Muller and Richmond Vancouver region lobby coordinator Melody Pan.

BCNU LOBBYING

NURSING CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Union forges relationships with local elected officials to build support for ratios

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N JUNE, MACKENZIE MAYOR Joan Atkinson penned a letter to BC Health Minister Josie Osborne informing her that her district had passed a motion supporting the Provincial Rural Retention Incentive program and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. The letter showed support for two top BCNU priorities, and that is no mere coincidence.

Mayor Atkinson’s letter came after several BCNU members attended the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) convention in Prince Rupert in May. This annual gathering brought together elected officials from local governments across the vast area stretching from BC’s east to west borders, and from Williams Lake to the northern tip of the province. At local government association conventions like these, elected officials share information about the issues

affecting their communities and work together to establish common priorities.

BCNU set up trade show booths at all five local government area association conventions this spring – in Kimberley, Merritt, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert and Whistler. For BCNU North West regional council member Teri Forster, Mayor Atkinson’s letter was just one example of how connecting with elected officials and engaging local governments builds support for the union’s key initiatives.

“Because health care is primarily the provincial government’s responsibility, local governments don’t always realize that health care can be part of their mandate,” says Forster. “But the top things people ask about when they’re considering moving to a new town are health care, housing, infrastructure and recreational opportunities for their kids.

Those issues are interconnected, and they’re all important to retaining and recruiting nurses.”

Forster adds that connecting with local governments can help them understand how they can influence health-care policy. “We explained to these elected officials how minimum nurse-to-patient ratios can drastically improve the entire health-care system, and how policy levers within their reach can help make ratios a success.”

The five annual conventions provide a venue for local governments in BC to come together regionally before their provincial gathering at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention each fall. Their regional focus helps local governments highlight issues that may not have the same relevance elsewhere in the province and mobilize more support for their issues within UBCM. Organizing this strong local support gives the UBCM more leverage when lobbying the provincial government on those priorities.

BCNU first participated in a local government association convention in 2024, hosting a trade show table at the NCLGA convention in Smithers, thanks to Forster’s persistence. She championed the idea at the BCNU Council

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FORGING RELATIONSHIPS BCNU members held trade show tables at all five local government association conventions this spring. 1. BCNU South Islands regional council member Caitlin Jarvis and South Islands regional lobby coordinator Carly Koeppen speak to a delegate at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention trade show.

2. BCNU West Kootenay regional council member Shalane Wesnoski and West Kootenay region lobby coordinator Tamara Roscoe with Kaslo mayor Suzan Hewat.

table as an opportunity to advance the union’s public policy priorities. At the convention itself, she also took the initiative to organize fellow members from her region to attend and speak to elected officials there about nurses’ priorities. The union’s warm reception at that convention laid the foundation for this year’s expanded effort.

Forster’s idea to have BCNU engage elected officials at the local government level stemmed from her own experience as a city councillor for Prince Rupert, a position that she was first elected to in 2022. Forster sees that role and her BCNU council position as mutually beneficial.

“I’m able to bring the voice of nurses to different parts of the political system,” she explains. “A lot of politicians know I’m that city councillor who is also a nurse, and I can bring that additional perspective to the table.”

When engaging with local governments, BCNU has focused on the need to improve housing accessibility and affordability, childcare, transportation and recreation – all areas that make communities more attractive places to live.

Some local governments have already taken action. The city of West Vancouver is partnering with a local

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non-profit organization, the provincial government, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Vancouver Coastal Health to build Kiwanis Village West, a 156-unit housing development.

Health-care workers, along with first responders and other essential workers, get priority access to this below-market rental housing, enabling them to live close to where they work.

The city of Colwood has taken healthcare matters into its own hands by opening a city-operated clinic, where the municipality will eventually employ up to six family doctors directly. They have already recruited their first doctor from London, ON. The municipality’s efforts demonstrate that there is little that local governments cannot do if they have the will.

BCNU Vancouver Metro regional lobby coordinator Cara Muller attended this year’s Lower Mainland convention in Whistler and experienced a warm reception for the union.

“The politicians we talked to were super supportive of nurses,” says Muller. “There is so much alignment between our goals and the needs of communities.”

Given the short-term progress BCNU has already seen, the union plans to engage further at the local

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government level. And beyond the immediate returns such as the District of Mackenzie letter, the fact that more than a quarter of the MLAs currently in the BC legislature are former local councillors, mayors or regional district board members points to the broader impact this work can have.

“Relationship building is so important,” adds Muller. “The new connections we’re making are just the beginning. We reconnect with them at community events and have opportunities to visit them at their offices. We become one of their go-to resources when they’re looking to solve local health-care policy issues.”

BCNU lobby coordinators in all 16 regions have made building these local government relationships a priority, in addition to maintaining relationships with MLAs and MPs. By connecting with all three levels of government – local, provincial and federal – lobby coordinators play a crucial role in securing support for the union’s policy priorities.

“Elected officials know how much we care about our patients, and they know the public trusts us,” Muller says.

“Not just trust at the bedside, but also to know what can be done to fix the health-care system.” •

MEET THE TEAM Get to know the Nurses’ Bargaining Association Provincial Bargaining Committee

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HE MEMBERS BARGAINI N of the Nurses’ BA Bargaining Association (NBA) Provincial Bargaining Committee have a big job ahead of them.

This dedicated team, H E EA composed of seven BCNU LT H C A R E B members elected by their peers, plays a critical role in negotiating the collective agreement that protects and improves nurses’ working conditions across BC. They bring diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to fighting for the best possible deal in upcoming contract negotiations.

Working alongside BCNU’s Chief Negotiator Jim Gould, President Adriane Gear and representatives of the Health Sciences Association and Hospital Employees’ Union, the committee has been hard at work since being elected, preparing for bargaining dates in the fall.

To hear directly from the membership, the committee will be out and about over the summer and fall, speaking with members in worksites across the province.

BCNU members should keep an eye out for these folks in their workplaces and take advantage of this unique opportunity to have their voices heard.

Get to know the committee that will represent NBA members at the bargaining table later this year.

ADRIANE GEAR BCNU President & NBA Committee Chair

JIM GOULD BCNU CEO & Chief Negotiator

A registered nurse since 1993, Adriane brings nearly two decades of union leadership and frontline experience in long-term care, general surgery and public health.

Adriane became active in BCNU after a workplace injury, sparking her deep commitment to health and safety. She has served as a regional occupational health and safety rep, regional council member and vice-president, leading campaigns on mental health, staffing shortages and equity in health care.

Known for her bold advocacy and collaborative leadership, Adriane is dedicated to safe working conditions, strong contracts, championing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

She is also dedicated to minimum nurse-to-patient ratios to improve staffing and practice conditions, support nurse retention and enhance patient care.

Jim has been serving as BCNU’s CEO since 2022.

During his tenure, he and his bargaining team led the negotiation of Canada’s top nursing salaries in the 2022–2025 contract.

With nearly 20 years of experience as BCNU’s senior legal counsel, Jim has represented nurses in pivotal legal battles that have strengthened the collective agreement. He has negotiated substantial commitments from the BC government to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and enhance nurse retention and recruitment.

Jim is a proud advocate for workers’ rights and the vital role of unions in protecting them. His deep commitment to improving conditions for nurses in BC is rooted in personal experience – his late mother was a nurse, and his daughter is studying nursing.

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BARGAINING COMMITTEE

JO-ANNA HANER Long-term Care

TRACY GADSBY Community Care

THOMPSON NORTH OKANAGAN

EAST KOOTENAY

Jo-Anna is a dedicated nurse and union advocate with 15 years of experience across acute, community and longterm care settings. She is known for her unwavering commitment to better working conditions for nurses – and better patient care.

A former steward, joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee member and deputy returning officer, Jo-Anna has supported nurses through various educator roles.

Driven by her passion for empowering members and providing them with the tools and resources they need to deliver safe, quality care, she brings that same dedication to bargaining and to fighting for a contract that respects nurses and strengthens the profession across BC.

Tracy is a licensed practical nurse with over 10 years of experience in emergency, medical-surgical and community care. Based in Invermere, she is an active BCNU steward and joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee member, where she advocates for better working conditions and a stronger voice for nurses.

Tracy brings a determined, hard-working spirit to the NBA Bargaining Committee, and she is passionate about improving health care.

Outside of nursing, she enjoys life on her ranch, embracing the values of community and resilience.

Tracy is known for her fearless advocacy and unwavering commitment to supporting fellow nurses in all areas of health care.

CARLY KOEPPEN Community Care

SOUTH ISLANDS Carly is a dedicated registered nurse and union activist. Since 2015, she has served as a steward, BCNU South Islands region mental health advocate, steward liaison, regional council member and is currently serving as the lobby coordinator for her region.

With a strong belief in unity and collaboration, Carly has developed deep appreciation of the many workplace challenges nurses face.

She has strong experience enforcing the collective agreement to support her colleagues. She is committed to ensuring nurses’ voices are heard and their rights protected.

Carly considers it an honour to represent the NBA and approaches her role with perseverance, curiosity and dedication to the profession.

JEREME BENNETT Acute Care – Large Facilities NORTH EAST Jereme is a seasoned nurse and union activist with 23 years of experience, including five as a licenced practical nurse and 17 as a registered nurse. He has worked in neurosurgery, palliative care and is currently the program lead for Family Medicine at the University Hospital of Northern BC. A 16-year steward, Jereme has held many roles in the union, including regional OHS rep, treasurer and interim regional council member. He has served as BCNU North East regional treasurer since 2021. He also served on the Bargaining Committee in the 2022–2025 round.

Jereme is recognized for his deep understanding of nurses’ challenges and his determination to secure fair treatment and stronger protections for all members.

ROY HANSEN Acute Care – Large Facilities SIMON FRASER Roy is a registered psychiatric nurse and fearless labour advocate known for his strategic leadership and in-depth knowledge of the NBA collective agreement.

Roy has been a BCNU steward since 2013 and has held numerous roles, including member organizer, BCNU Simon Fraser region professional responsibility advocate and Royal Columbian Hospital full-time steward.

He currently serves as a BCNU Simon Fraser regional council member.

Roy was one of the two Acute Care – Large Facilities representatives during the 2022–2025 of NBA Bargaining. Respected for his fearless advocacy, Roy brings experience and a relentless commitment to protecting nurses’ rights across the province.

SCOTT DUVALL Acute Care – Medium Facilities

SHERRILL HARMER Acute Care – Small Facilities

THOMPSON NORTH OKANAGAN

RICHMOND VANCOUVER

Scott is a registered nurse and currently serves as BCNU Thompson North Okanagan regional council member.

He previously served as the union’s interim provincial treasurer in 2015.

Since 2009, Scott has worked in emergency rooms and Intensive Care Units across his region. A 15-year BCNU steward, he has also served as the Thompson North Okanagan region’s communications secretary and treasurer before his election to BCNU Council in 2020.

Scott is based in Vernon, on the unceded lands and territory of the Okanagan peoples, and is a proud father of two grown sons. He is dedicated to fighting for the fair treatment of nurses and has been actively involved in labour advocacy and occupational health and safety.

Sherrill is a registered nurse with 44 years of experience across three Canadian provinces and one US state.

She has a passion for the diverse aspects of nursing and continuously strives to improve the workplaces she serves.

For the past seven years, she has been an active steward liaison on the BCNU Richmond Vancouver regional executive while holding a full-time position at HealthLink BC. She is the steward at large for her region, and she was elected as a human rights and equity representative on BCNU’s newly formed Senior Nurses’ Network.

Outside of nursing, Sherrill enjoys dining out and traveling – a passion so strong she even worked as a travel agent alongside her nursing career.

She is a proud mother of two grown daughters.

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FEATURE

BCNU delegates gather to debate resolutions, build solidarity and send a strong message against violence in health care

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CNU CONVENTION 2025 OPENED IN the early hours of May 26 on the unceded territory of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. More than

500 delegates listened with rapt attention as Elder Martin Sparrow of the Musqueam Nation offered a traditional greeting and land acknowledgement, urging delegates to lead with respect, openness and honesty. His words set the tone for three full days of reflection, debate and unity.

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BOLD LEADERSHIP President Adriane Gear opens BCNU’s 43rd Convention.

BCNU President Adriane Gear followed with her report, beginning with her own territorial acknowledgement of the lands of the WSANEC people, where she lives and works. She outlined the major priorities that shaped her second year as BCNU’s leader: implementing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, preparing for Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) contract negotiations, strengthening member engagement and improving union governance alongside BCNU’s Council and Provincial Executive Committee.

“Representing more than 50,000 members is a tremendous responsibility,” she said. “But every day, the nurses of British Columbia inspire me. You are the reason I remain steadfast in my commitment to improving working conditions across our profession.”

Gear reaffirmed the union’s commitment to negotiating a strong collective agreement that protects nurses’ benefits, respects their professional contributions to the health-care system and addresses the chronic understaffing, unsafe workloads and workplace violence that too many nurses still face. She cited alarming WorkSafeBC statistics showing that time-loss claims for workplace violence among nurses

nearly doubled in the past decade, from 25 per month in 2014 to 46 in 2023.

Gear told delegates that BCNU has worked hard over the past year to improve the organization’s governance, establishing a new diversity, equity and inclusion working group and launching anti-Indigenous racism training initiatives. She outlined council’s five strategic priorities: increasing member access to information, cultivating member solidarity, governing the organization effectively, supporting professionalism and practice and enforcing member rights.

Canadian Health Coalition. She also celebrated BCNU’s growing solidarity with other unions, including the support members showed for BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and Canadian postal workers during recent job actions.

Gear remarked that the union’s groundbreaking work to implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios continues to garner international recognition.

“The world is watching BC,” she said.

“BCNU is helping decision-makers and the public understand why ratios are not just good policy – they are essential for the future of health care.”

Gear closed with a rallying call to action, urging delegates to stay focused

Ratios are not just good policy – they are essential for the future of health care.”

BCNU President Adriane Gear

She applauded BCNU members’ work in cultivating partnerships and alliances that can help build stronger health care nationwide, spotlighting the union’s return to the Canadian Labour Congress and Vice President Tristan Newby’s appointment to the board of the

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REACHING OUT BCNU Vice President Tristan Newby reported significant growth in outreach and engagement over the past year.

Be prepared, united and responsive, instead of reactive, when hard times come.”

BCNU Vice President Tristan Newby

during convention and reminding them that their collective strength and advocacy will help implement ratios, secure a fair contract and ensure all BCNU members can work in a safe environment.

“We are the nurses of BC. We are fifty thousand strong, and we are bold, we are committed and we are united.”

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

BCNU Vice President Tristan Newby began his remarks by challenging delegates to “be prepared, united and responsive – instead of reactive – when hard times come.”

Newby said he focused on increasing member participation over the past year through decentralizing decision-making in the union’s equity caucuses and networks, making room for greater member participation, empowering activists and enhancing collaboration.

On the national stage, he reported that BCNU led a successful motion to increase funding for Indigenous nursing student scholarships from the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU). BCNU’s grassroots members continue to build bridges with members of other unions and

increase solidarity.

Newby praised the vital work of regional lobby coordinators, who expanded their outreach to new levels this year, connecting with local elected officials, mayors, councillors and area directors across the province. They secured more than 118 pledges from candidates running in the 2024 provincial election to support minimum nurseto-patient ratios. Newby said their hard work has helped educate the public and elected representatives about the promise of ratios and kept this policy solution in front of decision-makers.

Newby reminded delegates that they – and all BCNU members – can be a part of this critical work. He encouraged those in attendance to “choose to be the advocate, mentor and leader that you wish for at your worksite.”

BCNU IN STRONG FINANCIAL SHAPE

Provincial Treasurer Sharon Sponton delivered BCNU’s annual financial report, noting that revenue increased in 2024 due to wage gains, growth in the number of members working full-time, the one-time transfer of the NBA Nurse Support Fund from the provincial

MONEY MATTERS BCNU Provincial Treasurer Sharon Sponton reported strong financial health in her Convention presentation.

government and union investment performance. She said the resulting 2024 operating surplus has been allocated to the Infrastructure Fund, the new Member Engagement and Steward Education Fund and the Bargaining Fund.

“As you can see, BCNU is in a strong financial position at the end of 2024,” she said.

Sponton commended the work of BCNU’s finance department, noting that it processed over 20,000 salary reimbursement days, along with tens of thousands of forms and payments.

Delegates viewed the complete list of BCNU’s funding and bursaries, including the new Strategic Priorities Education Fund Bursary and the CFNU Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary.

Sponton also reported on the significant financial support provided to members. As of May 2025, this has included $4.86 million for LPN to RN/ RPN laddering, $2.46 million in NBA Hardship Assistance and $2.23 million for NBA Supplemental Mental Health Benefits.

She concluded by promoting the union’s new finance training module, encouraging delegates to learn about the union’s financial policies and processes, including salary reimbursement, union leave and various member expense policies.

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SAFETY FIRST Outgoing Executive Councillor Denise Waurynchuk reminded participants to report unsafe workplace incidents.

“VIOLENCE IS NOT PART OF YOUR JOB”

Outgoing Interim Executive Councillor for Occupational Health and Safety and Mental Health, Denise Waurynchuk, opened her report by welcoming returning Executive Councillor, Aida Herrera, back to the role.

Waurynchuk reflected on the work she has undertaken in her portfolio over the past year, starting on a sombre note.

“We often have no idea what our co-workers are carrying behind their smiles and their uniforms,” she said. “The truth is some are quietly enduring more than we can imagine.”

She reminded delegates that NBA Hardship Assistance and the Supplemental Mental Health Benefit (SMHB) are both available to support members in need.

“Some members are on the brink of eviction, choosing between paying bills and buying groceries or starting over after leaving unsafe homes,” she said. “Others are facing serious illnesses, are unable to work and are barely staying afloat.”

Waurynchuk praised the tireless efforts of Enhanced Disability

Management Program and Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee representatives, as well as regional occupational health and safety reps and mental health advocates, in supporting nurses’ mental health and well-being across the province.

She called attention to the impact of the union’s Violence: Not Part of the Job, Break Down the Barriers and Stand up, Speak Out campaigns, which have shed light on the realities of violence in health care, helping to destigmatize psychological injury and demand lasting solutions to BC’s nurse shortage.

She acknowledged that violence in the workplace is still of foremost concern.

“Let’s be absolutely clear: Violence is not okay. Violence is not part of your job,” Waurynchuk emphasized, adding that when workers act collectively, they create safer workplaces. She encouraged members to continue reporting health and safety issues, advocating for safer workplaces by contacting the Provincial Workplace Health Contact Centre, filing WorkSafeBC reports and speaking out to support one another.

“We remind the employer: safety is their job, and we’re watching.”

PROTECTING PENSIONS AND ADVOCATING FOR SENIOR NURSES

Interim Executive Councillor for Pensions and Seniors Health Meghan Friesen welcomed returning Executive Councillor, Michelle

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Sordal, back to the role while delivering reassuring news: both the Municipal and Public Pension plans remain well-funded.

“Both plans take a careful, long-term approach that avoids overreacting to short-term trends in the investment market,” she noted.

Friesen applauded the growing number of members attending the union’s pension workshops in the past year, emphasizing the importance of learning about pensions and planning for retirement.

Friesen also described the Seniors’ Strategy Committee’s recommendations to BCNU Council on retention and recruitment, skill mix, safe staffing levels, psychological health and safety and violence prevention for members working in long-term care, community and home support.

“The aging population, the need for PLANNING AHEAD Outgoing Executive Councillor Meghan Friesen urged members to take BCNU’s pension workshops.

safe and holistic care for seniors and the concerns of nurses make the existence of this committee invaluable,” she said.

Friesen announced the launch of the next phase of BCNU’s Not Okay campaign with a new survey of members working in long-term care.

The results will inform the development of new minimum nurse-topatient ratios in the sector, identify bargaining priorities and help build public awareness about conditions for members and their patients.

Lastly, she spoke about work underway to include LPNs in the NBA Retiree Benefits Program (RBP) and address issues regarding the program’s future benefit designs.

Friesen concluded on a hopeful note, remarking that “the RBP committee is looking at long-term benefits that can be paid out to members that will address intergenerational equity issues while ensuring plan stability for years to come.”

Everybody has to embrace their power.”

BCNU CEO Jim Gould

TEAM BUILDER BCNU CEO Jim Gould encouraged all members to get involved in bargaining.

CEO REPORT

BCNU CEO Jim Gould began his report with a portrait of his mother, Margaret, whose fierce advocacy inspired his approach to leadership.

“She taught me about standing up to bullies and the importance of having other people’s backs,” said Gould, telling delegates that he approaches his position as the union’s top staff member with the same spirit.

He outlined a vision for his role as BCNU’s CEO, saying that “the

2025 BCNU LEADERSHIP AWARDS Each year, BCNU honours two members who show exemplary leadership and advocacy in their nursing careers.

This year, union president Adriane Gear presented the NU Leader Award to Vancouver Metro region member Abbey Glowicki, a registered nurse at St. Paul’s Hospital, known for her passion for working with surgical patients and the young adult population.

Gear presented the Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy Award to Central Vancouver region member Jessica Machado, a registered nurse at Vancouver General Hospital and occupational health and safety representative for her region.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE BCNU Central Vancouver region member Jessica Machado and Vancouver Metro region member Abbey Glowicki stand with BCNU President Adriane Gear after accepting their awards.

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INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION California Nurses Association President Catherine Kennedy shared California nurses’ experiences fighting for minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

purpose that I have in this role is to improve the conditions for nurses in this province – end stop.”

Gould provided delegates with his assessment of the political context ahead of NBA contract negotiations, including a BC government budget deficit that now sits at $10.9 billion. While Gould acknowledged this number is concerning, he said members should not take it at face value.

“Show us the money that has not been spent,” he said, referring to ongoing shortages in nurse recruitment. “Show us the money. We’re going to be saying that a lot.”

The union has set five priorities for NBA bargaining, with benefits at the top of the list. Gould explained that members will have several opportunities ahead to provide input that will help guide the bargaining committee as it negotiates the future of NBA benefits, including upcoming town halls and a survey in the fall.

He told delegates that the union is in a strong position heading into negotiations after a series of bargaining conferences over the past year that engaged many firsttime participants. Gould said that with a $75 million strike fund – the

Your fight is our fight – and we are with you every step of the way.”

Catherine Kennedy

largest the union has ever had– members have the power to fight for what they deserve.

He shared details on the internal work at BCNU to foster excellence among staff, create a culture of learning and build the strongest nursing union in the world. Since assuming the role of CEO, he has strengthened internal processes, championed staff education and developed leadership capacity throughout the organization.

Concluding his presentation, Gould detailed the ways the organization is promoting a culture of collectivity and member engagement, leaving delegates with a challenge: “A tough road lies ahead, but you have the power. It’s time to embrace it.”

KEYNOTE SPEAKER CATHERINE KENNEDY: “YOU CAN DO THIS”

“Change is coming to British Columbia. Change is coming to BCNU.” With these words, Catherine Kennedy, a registered nurse and President of National Nurses United

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and the California Nurses Association (CNA), wrapped up the first day of BCNU’s 43rd convention with a rousing keynote address.

A nurse for over 45 years, Kennedy spoke about the deep bonds between Canadian and American nurses, congratulating BCNU members on their fight for minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and calling the union a beacon of strength for nurses everywhere.

Kennedy detailed CNA’s hardfought journey to implement safe staffing ratios in California – a battle that took more than a decade of grassroots organizing, member mobilization and political advocacy.

She described the fierce opposition they faced from powerful hospital lobbies and political leaders, including former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who attempted to roll back hard-won ratios. Nurses mobilized rapid response teams to protest at every one of his public appearances, forcing the government to back down. Despite political and corporate resistance, California’s nurses prevailed and helped spark similar movements in other states.

Kennedy reflected on her early days before ratios became law in her state, working as one of two nurses caring for 48 patients during a night shift.

That experience – and the suffering it caused – taught her that safe staffing levels save lives, reduce stress and restore the humanity in nursing.

Looking ahead, she warned that global challenges like climate change and artificial intelligence pose serious

threats to health-care systems and workers. She emphasized that legislated ratios are more important than ever to ensure that staffing levels remain safe and patients continue to receive high-quality care.

Kennedy closed her presentation urging BC nurses to “keep the fire alive,” reminding them that collective action and persistence are the keys to unlocking real change.

“You can do this,” she said. “Your fight is our fight – and we are with you every step of the way.”

LINDA SILAS: “YOU ARE CANADA’S NURSES”

Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) President Linda Silas opened BCNU’s second day of convention with an inspiring address that highlighted a year of advocacy, organizing and growing unity among nurses across Canada.

Her message was clear: the power of the nursing movement lies not in one person – but in collective action.

Silas celebrated several milestones, including CFNU’s leadership in organizing the first-ever international summit on minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, held in Ottawa last November. The historic event brought together national and global nursing leaders, unions, government officials and health employers to strategize on implementing safe staffing in Canada. She also applauded BCNU President Adriane Gear’s recent opportunity

to present to the Royal College of Nurses in Liverpool – a proud moment of international recognition for Canadian nursing advocacy.

Silas pointed to nurses’ political leadership, outlining CFNU’s national efforts during the federal election, which included putting pressure on federal leaders for a Patients’ Bill of Rights. This legal tool could help address unsafe health-care working conditions and enforce the core principles of the Canada Health Act, ensuring everyone has access to care through our public health-care system. She recapped high-level policy meetings with health ministers and premiers, as well as the CFNU’s ongoing advocacy for a national pharmacare plan and a national health human resources plan to enhance the retention and recruitment of nurses in Canada.

Highlighting CFNU’s role as a research leader, Silas cited recent studies on the barriers that internationally educated nurses experience, a national survey on the challenges facing nursing students and a comprehensive examination into anti-Indigenous racism in nursing. She shared plans for CFNU’s biennial convention in Ontario, which included an official apology to Indigenous, Métis and Inuit peoples and a critical debate on the war in Gaza.

Silas urged nurses to say “no” to unsafe conditions and burnout and to say “yes” to a future rooted

NATIONAL UNITY CFNU President Linda Silas told delegates that Canada’s nurses are with them.

in empowerment and unity. She reminded delegates of the power of solidarity, pointing to key moments in labour history such as Manitoba’s 31-day strike in 1990 and BC’s overtime ban in 2001.

Silas closed with a bold call to action: “From Kamloops to Charlottetown, we need a grassroots nursing movement that connects every nurse in every corner of the country. We need to work together and make sure our message is loud.

You are Canada’s nurses.”

DELEGATES DEBATE BYLAW AMENDMENTS

Delegates took part in vibrant discussions on three proposed amendments to BCNU’s Constitution and Bylaws on day one of convention.

The group passed an amendment to Article 8, granting convention delegate status to members of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

A proposed amendment to Article 5, which would have barred members who have ever been deemed not in good standing from running for Provincial Executive Officer or Regional Council Member positions, was defeated.

Delegates also rejected a proposed amendment to Article 8 that would have increased the number of

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LOOKING AHEAD Delegates elected members William Chambers, Paulina Iturra, Crystal Ferreira, Cindy Webster and Jordanne Ruff to the BCNU Nominations Committee, with Ishwarpreet Cheema and Winsome Hare as alternates.

BCNU convention delegates and alternates for regions with more than 4,000 members.

Delegates voted in favour of a resolution to increase regional council member remuneration to the equivalent of level 5/step 10 of the NBA wage grid. A separate resolution to increase the annual council stipend to $16,000 was defeated.

CONVENTION REPORTS

Delegates reviewed two expert reports during convention. The first, an election review presented

by Ian Cullwick, a specialist in governance effectiveness, recommended the union adopt a delegated voting structure among other changes. Delegates did not hold a vote to accept the report.

The second, a compensation inquiry conducted by investigators Judi Korbin and Megan Ashbury, recommended that regional council members be precluded from remunerative work in the health sector, and that BCNU increase council compensation. Delegates voted to reject the report.

We are done being quiet We are done being told that violence is just part of the job.”

BCNU President Adriane Gear.

RALLY TO END TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

“We are done being quiet. We are done being told that violence is just part of the job,” declared BCNU President Adriane Gear from the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery on the final day of BCNU’s annual convention.

Gear addressed a crowd of more than 500 nurses and supporters who took to the streets of Vancouver demanding that health

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employers keep nurses and all healthcare workers safe from violence.

The group shut down traffic at the intersection of Burrard and Georgia before proceeding to the art gallery, drawing a chorus of supportive honks from passing vehicles.

BCNU Vice President Tristan Newby welcomed nurses from every health authority in the province and the many allies in attendance, including CFNU President Linda Silas, Saskatchewan Nurses’ Union Vice President Denise Dick, Health Sciences Association of BC President Sara Kooner, BC General Employees’ Union President Paul Finch and Michelle Reyna from National Nurses United.

Silas delivered sobering statistics from CFNU’s national survey on workplace violence: 65 percent of BC nurses had experienced violence in the workplace in the past year. She demanded action to end the crisis. “These violent acts are crimes, and the perpetrators need to be charged.”

Gear took to the podium after Silas, standing in front of a backdrop of 46 nurses holding placards symbolizing the average number of BC nurses filing WorkSafeBC time-loss injury claims

Enough is enough!

Because if you don’t have safe nurses, you don’t have safe patients!”

Janice McCaffery

each month. She emphasized that most violent incidents don’t make the news – they occur behind closed doors, in empty hallways and in long-term care homes.

“These numbers don’t even capture the daily incidents, the threats, insults and being spat on,” added Gear. “This would not be tolerated in any other profession.”

The rally’s most powerful moment came when Janice McCaffery, an emergency nurse from Surrey Memorial Hospital, shared her story of surviving a violent assault on the job that ended her 40-year nursing career. “I have no idea why they did it,” she said.

“But it gave me a brain bleed, a severe concussion – and my career is over.”

Gear said McCaffery’s experience is why health authorities need to stop ignoring the violence in their facilities and do their job.

She closed with a clear message: “Enough is enough! If you don’t have safe nurses, you don’t have safe patients!”

DELEGATES DEBATE RESOLUTIONS Delegates debated eight import-

ant resolutions on the final day of convention, voting in favour of two while rejecting six.

Delegates voted in favour of a resolution increasing the number of funded seats at the annual human rights and equity (HRE) conference from 180 to 280. They also carried a resolution calling for future HRE bargaining conferences to be held in person.

Delegates rejected six resolutions that called on the union to: • Appoint EDMP representatives to three-year terms.

• Expand the annual HRE conference to two days with salary replacement.

• Move responsibility for approving regional HRE caucus and network budgets to the respective provincial caucus or network chairs and change the funding for regional caucuses and networks to provincial.

• Move HRE Committee oversight from the Vice President to the Executive Councillor for Pensions and Seniors’ Health; • Create a diversity, equity and inclusion labour relations officer role.

• Form an LPN network using existing HRE network funding.

GEAR CALLS ON DELEGATES TO REMAIN UNITED

In a powerful closing address, President Gear reflected on delegates’ renewed determination, inspiration and solidarity. She thanked delegates for their energy and engagement, calling the event a turning point in BCNU’s fight

for safer and more inclusive workplaces.

Gear thanked CFNU President Silas and National Nurses United President Kennedy for their messages of courage, struggle and action. She said their stories reminded delegates that they are not alone in their fight for improved working conditions for nurses.

She praised delegates for their passion at the rally, saying it sent a clear message to employers and the government that nurses deserve to feel safe at work. She thanked union members from the BCGEU and the Health Sciences Association of BC for helping to showcase the collective strength of health-care workers and underscore the urgent need for meaningful change.

Gear called on delegates to return to their workplaces ready to organize and prepare their fellow members for bargaining.

“Share what you’ve learned over the past three days with your colleagues and co-workers,” she urged. “We need the support and unity of every BCNU member if we are going to be successful in bargaining – and I know we will.”

In closing, Gear encouraged nurses to leave with their heads held high, their voices loud and their solidarity strong.

“Thank you again for an incredible convention,” she said. “Let’s bring this energy and inspiration back to our communities and into the future we’re building together.”•

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CONVENTION 2025 POSTCARDS

1. More than 500 BCNU members gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery calling for safer workplaces, joined by BCGEU and HSA members. 2 Convention delegates enjoy a presentation. 3. BCNU Thompson North Okanagan region member Julie Bodden, Simon Fraser region member Tracia Baston-Dottin, Fraser Valley region member Lily Osekre, Simon Fraser region member Chinenye Ugwuoke and Thompson North Okanagan region member Adigo Angela Achobo-Omajali. 4. BCNU Vice-President Tristan Newby and President Adriane Gear lead a chant during the convention rally. 5. Musqueam Nation Elder Martin welcomes delegates.

6. Members rally on the streets of Vancouver.

7. Delegates vote on a resolution. 8. BCNU Simon Fraser region member Frank Martens poses a question to members of the Provincial Executive Committee. 9. BCNU West Kootenay members wear denim and diamonds during the evening banquet on day two. 10. BCNU President Adriane Gear stands with members representing the 46 nurses on average who file WorkSafeBC time-loss injury claims each month.

11. BCNU student nurse delegates with president Adriane Gear, Vice-President Tristan Newby and Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions president Linda Silas. 12. BCNU Central Vancouver member Cheryl Ebanks and others dance during

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a break. 13. BCNU South Islands region member Christopher Linstead listens to the keynote presentation. 14. Delegates convere during a break. 15. Representatives from the Health Sciences Association of BC, who represent allied health-care members, joined BCNU members at the convention rally. 16. BCNU South Islands region members gather on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery. 17. BCNU Simon Fraser region members Stephaine Verseveldt, Marissa Lively, Mark Egorov, Nicholas Landstrom and Gordon Wilson gather during a break. 18. BCNU Provincial Executive Council members lead delegates through the streets of Vancouver.

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Health Safety

A PORTRAIT OF A SYSTEM IN CRISIS From Eagle Ridge Hospital to every corner of the province, BCNU demands employers address violence against nurses

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T WAS JUST AFTER 8 P.M. ON a spring evening at Port Moody’s Eagle Ridge Hospital when BCNU member Victoria Treacy, a registered nurse in the emergency department, heard yelling. It wasn’t unusual, but something about the tone made her pause what she was doing to go check.

A few seconds later, she found a patient in a hospital gown, holding a machete above his head, screaming threats and moving towards her and her colleagues aggressively. In a moment of chaos, her co-workers ran to barricade themselves in a room.

Treacy backed away to call the police as the man screamed and threatened staff. The hospital initiated a code white, indicating an aggressive patient, and then within seconds, a code silver, indicating a patient with a weapon.

Treacy and her team started evacuating

several terrified patients to safety.

Officers eventually arrested the man in the parking lot.

“We get threats, but never in my career did I think my life would actually be in jeopardy,” says Treacy. “My co-workers and I were just far enough away from a swinging machete. We are not trained or equipped for this.”

A BROADER LOOK AT VIOLENCE ACROSS BC

Treacy’s story, as shocking as it is, isn’t isolated.

Across the province, nurses are dealing with escalating levels of violence that wouldn’t be accepted in any other workplace. Last November, a patient attacked a student nurse with a knife at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). In March, a nurse at Eagle Ridge Hospital was violently assaulted. That same month, officers arrested a patient at

30 SUMMER/FALL 2025 • UPDATE MAGAZINE

Langley Memorial after he threatened staff with a knife, and at VGH, a patient strangled a nurse unconscious.

“We’re hearing more about patients bringing in weapons like handguns and knives, nurses being exposed to non-prescribed substances and experiencing verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis,” says BCNU President Adriane Gear. “This is no longer rare or unpredictable – it’s a daily reality for nurses in every part of the system. And frankly, it’s completely unacceptable.”

From rural health centres across the province to urban emergency departments and other health-care settings, the level of violence has been making headlines at an alarming rate.

Meanwhile, health authorities continue to drop the ball when it comes to dealing with the crisis, often failing to provide adequate support following a violent incident, or listen to the

concerns of frontline staff to develop strategies to prevent incidents from occurring.

In fact, over the past decade, WorkSafeBC has issued a number of significant fines to health employers across the province for failing to provide safe, hazard-free workplaces – a clear indication that systemic safety issues are being repeatedly ignored.

(For more information about the fines WorkSafeBC has issued, see sidebar on p. 33.)

A BCNU member survey commissioned last spring offered a shocking snapshot of just how often nurses are exposed to occupational health and safety hazards at work. It found that 81 percent of nurses experience verbal and/or emotional abuse at least once a month, with 39 percent reporting expo-

“If the employer doesn’t respect a safe and healthy culture, then nothing is going to change.”

BCNU President Adriane Gear

sure to weapons. Nearly half reported working short-staffed every day, and more than a third said they are seriously considering leaving the profession or are already making plans to do so.

While the roots of the problem are complex, they are also deeply connected.

Chronic understaffing has pushed

FED UP BCNU member Victoria Treacy refused to remain silent after a violent incident at Port Moody’s Eagle Ridge Hospital.

health-care workers to the brink.

Nurses are doing more with less, caring for too many patients in overcrowded, chaotic environments. That workload, combined with mental health and substance use crises worsened by the shortage of primary care doctors and supports, has created a dangerous tinderbox in emergency departments.

While the province has created specialized relational security officer (RSO) positions 1 designed to de-escalate aggressive patients, the staffing level is often inconsistent, with some hospitals in rural settings still waiting to see any trained RSOs at all.

As for risk assessments, the incident at Eagle Ridge Hospital has shown that the system is frequently failing to flag patients with a history of violence.

And worst of all, violence continues to happen.

“There seems to be a veil over top of hospitals,” says Treacy. “If you walked into a local shopping mall waving a machete, there would have been an enormous response in an instant. But because it happened in a hospital, it’s now deemed acceptable?”

When violence happens on the job, nurses are often left to pick up the pieces – physically, emotionally and professionally. Despite having systems in place for reporting incidents and safety hazards, many nurses aren’t using them. And it’s not because they don’t care.

Reporting can be confusing, timeconsuming and emotionally draining.

After a traumatic event, nurses are required to fill out paperwork and make phone calls to document what took place. They sometimes feel 1 Known as protective security officer (PSO) positions in Island Health facilities.

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that reporting is ineffective – that the employer doesn’t follow up and nothing changes. Some aren’t even sure how or when to report, especially when incidents involve exposure to substances, verbal threats or near misses.

Treacy believes the post-incident support she was offered after her experience was limited.

“CISM (critical incident stress management) wasn’t notified until the day after it happened, which I believe is a major failure of the employer,” she says.

“When I did end up going to the debrief, I had to revisit the worksite, which I found quite triggering and traumatic.”

Improving the reporting process is a priority for BCNU. The union is advocating for simpler, more streamlined systems, clearer education and visible follow-up to rebuild trust in the process. BCNU’s Simon Fraser regional council member Roy Hansen says the work will help protect members.

“Documenting these incidents is critical and creates a paper trail that can’t be ignored,” he says. “Reporting informs the union about incidents right away and helps us identify the resources and prevention efforts that are needed to ensure members get support in a timely manner.”

BCNU’s SOLUTIONS

BCNU has outlined a framework for actions and approaches employers need to take to prevent violence in health-care workplaces. The framework includes implementing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, which are proven to allow time for safe, patient-centred care, and hiring more RSOs who are trained in trauma-informed care and embedded with care teams. Other proposals include strengthening the risk assessment

“It’s about rebuilding an entire culture of safety, transparency and accountability – one where nurses are protected, respected and empowered.”

BCNU Executive Councillor for Occupational Health and Safety and Mental Health Aida Herrera

process and ensuring all members can access mandatory violence-prevention training. BCNU also wants employers to better communicate when patients have a violent history as they move between facilities.

In addition to a comprehensive framework, Gear says the next step is to put the employer on notice.

“It is time that senior leadership within each health authority is held accountable and implements these solutions with urgency and integrity,” she says. “If the employer doesn’t respect a safe and healthy culture, then nothing is going to change.”

THE ADVOCACY CONTINUES

The incident at Eagle Ridge Hospital should have been a turning point.

And yet, little has changed.

“If someone came into your office and threw a chair at you or tried to stab you with a pen, you wouldn’t go back to work and finish your shift without expecting something is done about it,” says Hansen. “Unfortunately, many nurses do. And that tells you how broken the system is.”

Treacy agrees.

“I left my shift immediately because I knew I couldn’t care for anyone after that,” she says. “But other staff stayed and finished their shifts that night.”

BCNU will continue to push health authorities, senior management and

32 SUMMER/FALL 2025 • UPDATE MAGAZINE

the provincial government to meet their legal obligations and act on the clear, practical solutions already on the table. Members should also keep in mind that their union is ready to support members in guarding their rights when it comes to working in unsafe conditions. These include the right to know about hazards in the workplace, the right to participate in health and safety activities and the right to refuse unsafe work. By law, employers cannot penalize workers for raising health and safety concerns.

Aida Herrera is BCNU’s Executive Councillor for Occupational Health and Safety. She says health authorities need to undergo systemic change if they are to reduce violence in healthcare settings.

“It’s not just about fixing broken panic buttons or simplifying reporting forms. It’s about rebuilding an entire culture of safety, transparency and accountability – one where nurses are protected, respected and empowered to speak up without fear or futility,” she says.

“Let this be the moment we stop treating violence in health care as just another occupational hazard – and start treating it like the emergency it is. We will keep advocating. We will keep demanding answers. And we will not stop until nurses are safe – in every hallway, every room, every shift, in every corner of BC.” •

WorkSafeBC fines, 2015–2025 It costs to run a dangerous workplace. Over the past 10 years, WorkSafeBC has issued massive fines to some health authorities for major occupational health and safety violations. The fines illustrate a pattern of health employers failing to address health and safety concerns proactively, promptly and professionally.

Total fines issued to health authorities between 2014 and 2025: $2.29 million

At a long-term care home, repair work Interior Health disturbed identified asbestos-containing materials in the workplace.

WorkSafeBC determined that the employer failed to conduct a risk assessment ahead of the work and to develop and implement an exposure control plan. Following the incident, the employer failed to investigate the unsafe or harmful conditions and take corrective action.

Vancouver A home health-care worker was Island Health stabbed by the spouse of a client.

WorkSafeBC found that the employer had not properly informed the worker about the severity of the spouse’s dementia. The employer had not given the worker adequate violence prevention training, nor had they conducted a reassessment of risk after previous threats of violence.

$783,068.26

$75,000.00

June 11, 2025

High risk

Interior Health At least 10 workers were exposed to an unknown noxious substance inside a patient’s room. WorkSafeBC determined that the employer had not adequately communicated safe work procedures, nor had they properly trained staff on respiratory protection and the process following an exposure. The employer failed to implement written procedures to eliminate or minimize the risk of exposure to chemical agents.

$274,073.89 Aug. 1, 2024

Nov. 10, 2022

Repeated violation

High risk, Repeated violation

Provincial Health Several violent incidents occurred Services Authority at a forensic psychiatric hospital in 2014. In response, WorkSafeBC ordered the employer to provide training on health and safety responsibilities, develop procedures to minimize violence and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. WorkSafeBC issued this fine after the employer failed to promptly comply with the orders.

$15,000.00 Repeated violation

Northern Health After several incidents of violence at a long-term care home, the employer failed to include key information in its full incident investigation report, including underlying causes or corrective actions.

$355,244.39

Nov. 7, 2016

Sept. 26, 2016

Failure to comply

A worker sustained serious injuries Interior Health after becoming trapped between an automated laundry shuttle and a dryer. WorkSafeBC found that the employer failed to secure hazardous machinery parts and install safeguards to protect workers. They also determined that the employer failed overall to provide adequate health and safety information, instruction, training and supervision.

$75,000.00 July 12, 2016

High risk

WorkSafeBC found multiple Provincial Health Services Authority problems at a forensic psychiatric hospital’s health and safety practices. The employer repeatedly failed to conduct violence risk assessments, establish policies and procedures to minimize risk, inform workers of the risk from violent patients and investigate reports of unsafe conditions. This massive fine – the largest ever issued at the time – reflected the employer’s overall failure to safeguard workers’ health and safety.

A psychiatric patient assaulted Interior Health and seriously injured two nurses.

WorkSafeBC determined the employer had not done an adequate hazard assessment and had not informed staff of the patient’s recent violent history.

WorkSafeBC stated that the employer failed in general to provide workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision needed to safeguard their health and safety.

$646,302.88

$68,976.69

Jan. 23, 2019

Repeated violation

Aug. 21, 2015

High risk, Repeated violation

1

Health Safety NURSES CHAMPION SAFETY DURING BCNU’s NAOSH WEEK

I

N CELEBRATION OF NORTH AMERICAN Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week 2025, BCNU launched its Your Voice, Your Safety campaign – a call to action that invited nurses to showcase how they champion safety at their worksites every day.

From May 5–11, the annual contest encouraged members to submit a photo and message on social media about how they contribute to safer workplaces. From reporting hazards and advocating for better personal protective equipment, to participating in Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees and creating space for psychological safety, nurses responded with passion and creativity.

Former BCNU Executive Councillor for Occupational Health and Safety Denise Waurynchuk says over 60 members from worksites across the province submitted their photos and ideas.

“The campaign showed that safety leadership exists in both small actions and through systemic advocacy,” she says. “Whether it’s using proper lifting techniques, organizing staff safety huddles or simply reminding colleagues to speak up when something feels unsafe, every nurse has a role to play in building safer workplaces.”

Ten winners were selected through a random draw to receive a set of Canadian-made scrubs and a BCNU water bottle. The prizes recognized members’ commitment to creating a lasting culture of safety in health care.

NAOSH Week began in Canada and spread to the US and Mexico in 1997 through an agreement between the three countries to raise awareness about occupational health and safety.

Since then, the initiative has grown into a continent-wide effort to promote safety culture and encourage participation in workplace health and safety activities. •

SAFETY STALWARTS 1.,2.,6.,11.,13. BCNU Shaughnessy Heights region members share their ideas for improving safety at their workplaces. 3. BCNU North East region lobby coordinator Shaun Whyman. 4. Richmond Vancouver region OHS rep Yvette Mueller. 5. BCNU Thompson North Okanagan region interim council member and OHS rep, Leah Takats. 7. BCNU Shaughnessy Heights region OHS Rep Raj Johal. 8. BCNU Okanagan Similkameen region mental health rep Topher Hansen. 9. Former BCNU Coastal Mountain region mental health rep D.J. Torgunrud. 10. BCNU North East region mental health rep Taryn Opel. 12. North East region OHS rep Deandra Lefebvre and North East member Rachel Peever. 14. South Fraser Valley OHS rep Tashnumaity Minwalla.

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5

8

2

3

9

12

6

7

10

11

4

13

14

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Health Safety

UNITED FOR PATIENT SAFETY At a community hospital, BCNU members are taking action for vulnerable patients

WORKING TOGETHER BCNU Pacific Rim region members Megan Ramshaw, Devon Welsh and Liz Kavouris are fighting for unattached patients’ rights.

AT A VANCOUVER ISLAND community hospital last summer, a group of BCNU members became concerned about a worsening problem in their emergency department.

The number of unattached patients they treated had been growing for more than a year. Unattached patients are those who cannot be admitted to an appropriate ward in the hospital due to a lack of hospitalists. These doctors act as primary care physicians for patients during their hospital stay, ensuring they receive coordinated care for complex medical issues.

Like many community hospitals serving smaller BC towns, the North Island Hospital Comox Valley (CVH) has a small emergency department with limited capacity to house patients needing ongoing care. As the summer wore on, nurses in the ER found themselves struggling with a

“It became very obvious that someone needed to do something.

And that someone can be us.”

Devon Welsh

massive influx of unattached patients, stretching their capacity beyond its limits.

“For lack of a better term, these patients get stuck in the ER,” says Megan Ramshaw, an ER nurse at CVH. “That makes providing quality care for our community an incredibly complex challenge.”

While nurses are no strangers to a busy and complex working environment, those at CVH became con-

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cerned about how the lack of coordinated care impacted these unattached patients.

Liz Kavouris also works as an ER nurse at CVH. “Because of the fractured nature of care for these patients, orders may not have been placed the day before,” she explains. “They might not receive their normal medications. They don’t get contact precautions flagged on their documentation – you might have somebody who has C-diff or COVID being held in the hallway.”

As the number of unattached patients continued to increase, ER nurse Devon Welsh adds that the problem started to wear on the staff, who witnessed patients beginning to show different outcomes based on what she termed “a class system.”

“This felt so morally distressing because these patients aren’t getting universal health care,” says

Welsh. “You see an elderly person whom you’ve treated every day that week lying on a stretcher under the bright hallway lights, with no privacy. Then you see another person whose family doctor admits them to a proper room receive comprehensive medical care. It’s a matter of people’s rights.”

BUILDING THE CASE FOR CHANGE

As the number of unattached patients continued to rise, these members felt compelled to act. They began having conversations with each other and bringing their concerns to management about what they could do to better care for these patients.

But they found those first efforts frustrating.

“After a really horrendous summer last year, it was clear that there was no plan,” Ramshaw recalls. “We had no space to work out of, we ran out of stretchers, we didn’t always have a spot available for the next person.”

“It became very obvious that someone needed to do

“I don’t think being separate or fighting each other would have gotten us anywhere.”

Liz Kavouris

something,” Welsh adds.

“And that someone can be us.”

They consulted their local BCNU steward, Shawna Atkinson, who encouraged them to start pulling on all of the levers available to them as unionized nurses.

Each member tapped into their unique skill set to begin tackling the problem from multiple angles.

Kavouris found that, while managers were interested in what they had to say, they were missing crucial

information about these unattached patients, preventing them from fully understanding the scope of the problem. Using her statistics acumen, she set about gathering data to explain how the excess number of unattached patients undermined hospital outcomes while increasing costs.

“As emergency patients who haven’t been admitted, unattached patients don’t exist on the hospital census,” she explains. “We

prepared numbers showing longer hospital stays for these patients and an exponential increase in our budget.”

Meanwhile, Welsh reached out to the hospital’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee to document concerns for nurses’ safety and even consulted the local fire department when overcrowding in the ER reached its peak.

Ramshaw focused on advocating from a nursing practice standpoint, drafting a joint letter to the employer using the Nurses’ Bargaining Association professional responsibility process, which helps nurses solve practice issues collaboratively at the local level. Once enough

REACHING OUT BCNU member Devon Welsh organized her Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee to document nurses’ concerns about unattached patients.

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SPEAKING UP BCNU member Megan Ramshaw marshalled her co-workers to sign on to an open letter about the impacts of the unattached patient problem on their professional practice.

of their co-workers had signed the joint letter, they presented it to the employer, demanding that it take the problem seriously.

Additionally, along with their colleagues, the group filed dozens of submissions through the Patient Safety and Learning System – the employer’s web-based tool for reporting patient safety incidents and hazards.

TAKING COLLECTIVE ACTION

Following their coordinated efforts, the three nurses say that they are starting to see more clinical leadership from management focused on tackling the problem. They now meet regularly with management, professional practice directors and senior hospital administrators to discuss solutions. They have also started meeting

with local physicians to collaborate.

BCNU Pacific Rim region full-time steward Shawna Atkinson says that upper management is starting to take the problem more seriously. However, she would like to see the employer increase staffing levels to help deal with the additional demands of tending to unattached patients. “We’re advocating for pro-active staffing,” she says. “Right now, we don’t have a stable, reliable workforce.”

The unattached patient problem – a downstream effect of the health-care worker shortage in BC – continues to challenge the hospital’s ER. Indeed, nurses at CVH are not alone – many hospitals and health-care settings across the province are experiencing the issue.

Recent reporting on Vernon

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“We have been trying everything we can as a collective to make this situation more equitable and safer.”

Megan Ramshaw

Jubilee Hospital revealed that individuals without a primary care physician are called “orphan patients,” and high numbers of these patients have been making conditions worse at their already overcrowded ER. Thanks to the grassroots advocacy of BCNU members across the province, the issue is beginning to come to light.

“We needed to work as

a team,” says Kavouris. “I don’t think being separate or fighting each other would have gotten us anywhere.”

These nurses also acknowledge how the support that BCNU provided, along with the tools available to them as unionized nurses, helped them gain the courage to push the issue and advocate for their colleagues and patients.

“When you have the union behind you, your voice is not just your own,” says Kavouris.

“The whole team has your back. It’s very reassuring.”

“This is our community,” says Ramshaw. “Any one of our family members or friends could be part of this unattached cohort. I want to be able to look them in the eye and tell them that we have been trying everything we can as a collective to make this situation better, more equitable and safer.” •

Health Safety HEALING THROUGH ADVOCACY AND CULTURAL CONNECTION Enhanced Disability Management Program reps are building a holistic program to support nurses through injuries and illness EVEN HEALTH-CARE experts like nurses can lose their way while navigating the twists and turns of an illness or injury that takes them off the job.

That’s where regional BCNU Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) representatives come in. These dedicated professionals guide the way for

BCNU members who need help returning to work safely after an illness or injury.

The union and health employers jointly run the EDMP using best practices. The program aims to enhance the support provided to members struggling with illness or injury by addressing barriers to returning to work.

GUIDING THE WAY BCNU EDMP rep Wanda Veer is helping to build a sustainable and culturally-safe program to support ill and injured nurses

EDMP reps collaborate with program participants and the employer’s disability manager. Together, they help remove barriers and develop a personalized plan for recovery. This plan may include traditional medical interventions, transitional work, a graduated return to work, workplace modifications and vocational rehabilitation or retraining. But EDMP reps don’t stop at traditional methods – they work holistically to support the whole nurse, showing respect for and upholding their cultural safety.

MEET WANDA VEER

Wanda Veer lives and works on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Lhtako Dene in Quesnel – and serves the vast region of Northern Health as an EDMP rep. Her work may be complex and emotionally demanding, but it’s also deeply fulfilling.

“This is what I was put on this land to do,” she

says. And in every conversation, case plan and act of advocacy, she continues to live out that purpose – not just as a nurse or a rep, but as a bridge between healing, culture and community.

For Veer, nursing was never just a career – it was a calling. “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse,” she says.

“I think I’ve always had that ingrained in me – the call to help other people.”

After recently celebrating 30 years of nursing in Northern Health, Veer’s journey reflects her enduring commitment to helping others, especially in times of profound personal and professional challenge.

Before she became an EDMP rep, Veer explored various areas of nursing, working in medical-surgical units, long-term care, maternity, the operating room and management. Veer spent time in union leadership as a regional treasurer, which helped inspire her leap into the EDMP. Although she initially felt a little intimidated by the experience and expertise of other EDMP reps, her passion for advocacy and problem-solving quickly found a home in the role.

At the core of her work is the desire to help others through what can be

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WHAT IS EDMP? the most difficult periods of their lives. “A big part of this job is navigating, listening and finding solutions for an individual,” Veer says.

“What works for one person may not fit another. It’s about finding the right pieces of the puzzle.”

So, what exactly does an EDMP rep do? According to Veer, it’s a role built on collaboration, guidance and advocacy. “We guide people through their medical journey,” she explains.

This includes liaising with members and third-party insurance providers and coordinating with employers and WorkSafeBC to create sustainable return-to-work plans. EDMP reps also point members to the resources they need, such as mental health practitioners, longterm disability advocates, Service Canada for medical employment insurance and assistance with licensing or financial challenges.

“There’s a lot of wheels turning for one single case management plan,” Veer notes. “You’re standing in the middle of it all, pulling everyone together.” That kind of coordination takes skill, experience and training – and Veer has all three. She holds disability management professional certification from the National Institute of

“This is what I was put on this land to do.”

Wanda Veer

Disability Management and Research, which matches employer-based disability management standards.

“This allows us to be the best advocates we can be for the membership,” she says, noting that she must recertify annually, just like nurses do, to maintain a high standard of care and advocacy.

Over the past 13 years, Veer has witnessed significant growth and transformation in the EDMP. “The biggest thing I see is the development of true collaboration,” she explains. Early in the program’s life, employers were often prescriptive, instructing EDMP reps how to manage cases. Now, Veer says, employers actively ask for input and work together with reps to find solutions.

Integrating cultural treatments into wellness plans has been equally significant.

“Back in the beginning, there was uncertainty around using traditional Indigenous practices like smudging, sweat lodges or meditation,” Veer explains. “Now, we’ve come a long way in recogniz-

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ing and supporting those treatments as valid and effective.” This evolution reflects a broader commitment in the EDMP to inclusion and respect for cultural diversity.

As a Métis and First Nations woman, Veer says her culture enriches her work, allowing her to connect with Indigenous nurses in ways others might not. “Not all members volunteer their cultural identity, which can mean missing out on important resources,” Veer says. She is mindful, respectful and intentional in her efforts to make sure Indigenous nurses feel seen and supported. “It’s about ensuring they have the resources they might not be aware of. That connection can make a big difference.”

Veer sees a bright future for the EDMP – one where inclusivity and awareness continue to expand. “I see it becoming more of a safe place,” she says, particularly for members from marginalized communities who may not have found the program relevant to them in the past. “I hope it continues to grow and support a bigger population.”•

The Enhanced Disability Management Program is a proactive, customized disability management program that supports employees suffering from an occupational or nonoccupational illness or injury.

Program participants benefit from a holistic case management plan that may include medical intervention, transitional work, a graduated return to work, workplace modifications and vocational rehabilitation or training.

The EDMP is solutionsfocused and encourages collaboration between an employee, their employer and their union.

Members covered under the Nurses’ Bargaining Association are eligible for the EDMP if they: • miss one shift due to workrelated illness or injury, or • miss five consecutive shifts due to non-work-related illness or injury.

Employees who are struggling at work and casual employees may also access the program.

CONTACT US If you are struggling at work with an illness or injury and need advice or support, email edmp@bcnu.org or log into the BCNU Member Portal. Your EDMP representative is found under the ‘Contacts’ tab.

GUIDING LIGHTS BCNU ACTIVIST PROFILE

MELISSA STODOLA (SHE/THEY) sees advocacy as an essential part of her nursing career, so it didn’t take her long to dive into union activism after she began working at Port Coquitlam’s Hawthorne Seniors Care Community in 2017. She currently serves as BCNU’s Simon Fraser region lobby coordinator.

“As a lobby coordinator, you represent so many members,” she says of her role.

“You’re not speaking for yourself or just for the union. You’re speaking for nurses

and their lives – their personal lives, their work lives – you are that voice.”

Stodola has held a variety of union positions. She has been a steward since 2022 and previously served as a joint occupational health and safety representative at her worksite before being elected as a lobby coordinator in 2024. She also currently sits as her region’s representative for the Young Nurses’ Network.

In recent months, she has been busy

10 QUESTIONS WITH MELISSA STODOLA What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

Resilient.

What was the last good thing you read?

How did you decide to become a nurse?

When I was a teenager, I volunteered at Eagle Ridge Hospital and Manor. I really enjoyed helping the nurses with small tasks.

On Fridays, I would assist residents with the bingo program and discovered a passion for holistic care for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia or people in their last chapter of life.

What was the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

When someone is sick, scared, stressed or injured, they need someone who is calm. You’ll go far in nursing if you learn how to control your internal system during a crisis.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love yoga, sewing, watercolour painting, embroidery, pottery, nature walks, baking and cooking new recipes.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in nursing?

The person you need to take care of the most is yourself. Patients need a nurse who is well rested, grounded, hydrated and ready to work. Make sure you have strong boundaries when it comes to work-life balance. Take your breaks!

What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to learn?

I’m a huge Legend of Zelda fan – my favourite game is Twilight Princess. I named my French bulldog Midna-Hylia which is the main character’s name.

Home Body by Rupi Kaur.

What do you like most about being a nurse?

The connections I have made with patients. It’s an honour to be someone’s nurse and a part of their journey.

What do you like least about being a nurse?

Having too many patients to take care of. Minimum nurse-to-patient ratios are so desperately needed!

Name one change you would like to make to the health-care system.

More emphasis on mental health.

Individuals experiencing mental illness deserve personal and holistic care.

Our health-care system needs more support, including more psychiatric hospitals, facilities, psychiatric nurses and other interdisciplinary team members.

engaging mayors and city councillors to educate them about ways to support minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. She has held meetings and presentations this year with six local governments: Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows and Port Coquitlam.

For Stodola, this kind of work fits perfectly with her passion for speaking out.

“When you’re a lobby coordinator, you can’t just be quiet,” she says. “You have to put yourself out there and advocate.”•

YOUR PENSION SECURING YOUR FUTURE

GETTING READY FOR RETIREMENT IS YOUR RETIREMENT on the horizon? It has a way of sneaking up on you – so it’s never too early to start thinking about how you will approach this new stage in life and consider the opportunities that await you.

Whether it’s travel, a new hobby or beginning a new career, it’s good to think about what this new phase will look like and to be sure you can finance this next step.

You need to be sure your money will last until the end of your life and, if necessary, beyond. Below are some steps that Municipal Pension Plan or Public Service Pension Plan members should be aware of before your retirement is upon you.

GET THE MUNICIPAL PENSION PLAN RETIREMENT PACKAGE Three to four months before your anticipated date of retirement, you can obtain the retirement package from

MPP MEMBERS: DID YOU KNOW? You are part of a plan that’s healthy and growing.

470,000 members in the plan* Net assets of over $86 billion – up from $77 billion in 2023* Over

1 in 10 BC residents of working age is in the plan Next time you’re in a busy coffee shop, there is likely another MPP member there too! * As of December 31, 2024.

your employer’s payroll and benefit personnel or from the Pension Corporation (1-800-668-6335). Speak to Pension Corporation staff to review the options available to you or visit the pension plan websites for

42 SUMMER/FALL 2025 • UPDATE MAGAZINE

more information: mpp.pensionsbc.ca or pspp.pensionsbc.ca.

Members in pension plans other than MPP and PSPP should contact their employer for retirement details.

NOTIFY YOUR EMPLOYER

Thirty days before retiring, send notification to the employer (your manager) that you will be retiring on a specific date. For pension purposes, ensure your last

WHEN CAN I RETIRE? Your age at retirement affects the value of your pension.

for the Retiree Benefit Program where you will find more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

ENSURE YOU RECEIVE SEVERANCE PAY

date for pay is scheduled as the last day of your last month.

Submit all documentation provided by your employer to the pension plan as soon as possible. It usually takes a few months to process your paperwork, verify your details and ensure the forms are completed correctly.

The first pension cheque will be sent close to the end of the first month of your retirement.

APPLY FOR THE NBA RETIREE BENEFIT PROGRAM BCNU has a benefit program that’s separate from your pension plan. Visit the BCNU website and search

You are eligible for severance pay if you are regularly employed (i.e., not casual). Under the Nurses’ Bargaining Association contract, employees with at least 10 years of service and after their 55th birthday, or those whose service is no longer required by their employer (closure of facility, etc.), will receive one week’s pay for every two years of work (pro-rated for parttime employees), 40 percent of their unused sick time (paid out) and any unused vacation time or banked overtime.

Thinking ahead of time about all of the steps required to properly plan your retirement will help you make the right decisions – and ensure an easier transition to the next chapter of your life! •

The age at which you apply for your pension will affect your monthly lifetime pension payment.

As required by the Income Tax Act, you must begin receiving your pension no later than the end of the year in which you turn 71, even if you are still working.

Your normal retirement age is 65 and your earliest retirement age is 55 (those who work in public safety as a police officer or firefighter normally retire at 60 and can take early retirement at age 50).

If you are an inactive member, i.e., someone who has terminated their employment and kept their money in the pension plan but is not currently receiving a pension from the plan, you may apply to begin receiving your pension as early as age 55.

If you are retiring before your normal retirement age, your age at retirement and years of contributory service will determine if you are eligible for an unreduced pension.

Qualifying for an unreduced pension You will receive an unreduced pension if, at the date of your retirement, you are: • 55 or older and your age plus your years of contributory service equals 90 or more • 60 or older, with two or more years of contributory service • 65 or older, with any amount of contributory service For example, if you are 57 and have 33 years of contributory service, you are eligible for an unreduced pension because your age plus years of contributory service equals 90 or more.

Qualifying for a reduced pension You will receive a reduced pension if, at the date of your retirement, you are: • Over 55 but under 60 and your age plus years of contributory service is less than 90 • Over 60 but under 65 with fewer than two years of contributory service For example, if you are 57 and have 20 years of contributory service, you are eligible for a reduced pension. If you choose to retire, you will receive a reduced pension because your age plus years of contributory service is 77, which is lower than the required 90 for most members.

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Q&A

HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUITY

SENIOR NURSES’ N E TWOR K

AN INTERVIEW WITH SENIOR NURSES’ NETWORK’S MELINA KERRIVAN AND SHERRILL HARMER Supporting nurses through the next stage NURSES IN THE LATER stages of their careers have profound knowledge and insight gained through years of professional experience. At the same time, senior nurses face unique challenges as they reach the advanced stage of their professional lives.

They often have to balance caregiving for children and elderly parents with their working hours, leading many to transition to reduced hours. Retirement planning can be complex with many questions about when to stop working and how to manage personal finances. Many senior nurses experience the impact of ageism in the workplace. These unique stressors inspired members to advocate for more representation for senior nurses in BCNU. In 2024, delegates passed a convention resolution leading to the creation of BCNU’s Senior Nurses’ Network

(SNN). In January 2025, BCNU held special elections for 16 human rights and equity representatives to the network from the union’s 16 regions. Five members were elected and eight acclaimed, including two alternates (five regions and one alternate spot remain to be filled).

The new network makes space for nurses aged 55 and above to connect, share their experiences and concerns and get more involved in their union. Melina Kerrivan serves as the SNN provincial chair, and Sherrill Harmer, a member who helped lead the 2024 resolution, is the network’s representative for the BCNU Richmond Vancouver region.

Update Magazine recently sat down with Kerrivan and Harmer to learn more about the SNN and how it plans to amplify its members’ voices in the coming months.

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UPDATE Let’s start with you, Sherrill. Tell us what led you to bring a resolution forward at BCNU’s 2024 convention to create the Senior Nurses’ Network.

HARMER The idea emerged from personal experience. As I became a senior nurse, I realized that many of my colleagues were part of the “sandwich generation” caring for aging parents, adult children and sometimes grandchildren, all while working demanding nursing shifts. The employer has been making it difficult for workers to move from fulltime to part-time positions.

Many senior nurses were forced into early retirement because there were no parttime lines available, and we were losing experienced voices from the workplace.

So, I felt we needed support and practical advice on

things like retirement planning and navigating pension concerns. After about 18 months of reflection, I worked with BCNU manager of pensions and special projects Lorne Burkhart to draft a resolution for last year’s convention. We brought it to that convention and the resolution passed. Now, here we are – our network is up and running!

UPDATE Congratulations!

Could you tell us more about the challenges members face in accessing part-time work?

HARMER The lack of available part-time lines means that many senior nurses are required to take casual positions, if available, or retire. Casuals are required to work at least 400 hours per year to remain employed, which can be difficult for retired nurses. We need exceptions for retiring nurses who want to stay engaged with manageable workloads. And we need voices to speak up for change.

UPDATE Melina, as the SNN chair, how did your involve-

STANDARD BEARERS Members of BCNU’s newly formed Senior Nurses’ Network gathered for a lunch-time meeting during the 2025 BCNU convention.

ment with SNN take shape?

KERRIVAN I initially ran as a regional representative and then put my name forward for the chair position. But I see my role as a facilitator. It’s a team effort, and our decisions are collaborative.

UPDATE What kind of work has the network engaged in so far?

KERRIVAN Our first meeting was in-person in early May. We’ll continue to meet both in-person and virtually. We’ve been putting together our Terms of Reference document, which helps us stay focused and on track. The Terms of Reference is a key step in beginning to reach out to nurses and understand their concerns. We’ve also created our network logo to establish our visual identity, and that has been a fun team effort.

We have been organizing our resources in preparation for our next meeting in the fall.

These are all foundational steps to help solidify who we are as a network and to keep

us aligned going forward.

UPDATE What is the size of the network, and how do you meet?

HARMER We currently have 12 representatives, but we hope to have reps in all 16 regions soon through upcoming by-elections. We meet monthly, mostly on Zoom, but are planning for two in-person meetings per year and one during convention.

UPDATE How will you engage more broadly with senior nurses and ensure inclusivity and accessibility across the province?

HARMER We want to hear directly from nurses 55 and up – what they need, what matters to them and how we can help. With representation from all 16 regions, we aim to offer province-wide Zoom meetings and maintain direct contact with more members to gain a deeper understanding of the working conditions for senior nurses in every corner of BC. If we can get answers to questions like,

“What would make your life easier?” or “What would keep you working longer?”, that will help guide our priorities.

UPDATE How do you see the new network making a difference for senior nurses?

KERRIVAN We want a voice in bargaining to help address issues such as the lack of part-time options, retention of seniority after retirement, ageism in the workplace, vacation accrual rates and a retention bonus.

It is about saying to senior nurses, “You matter. Your experience matters, your education matters.” Senior nurses bring so much knowledge and are a sizable portion of the workforce. If we can gain support to work in ways that suit our stage of life, then we can retain more nurses.

UPDATE How can the network address the barriers senior nurses face?

HARMER One big issue is returning to work post-retirement, especially when nurses want to pick

up shifts but risk losing seniority. We are advocating to make it easier to stay engaged in ways that work for them.

UPDATE What kind of impact does the network hope to make through its advocacy?

KERRIVAN Senior nurses deserve respect, and we need to feel valued and supported. A balanced lifestyle, support for caregiving duties and better working conditions are all key. We are trying to help retain experienced nurses and improve the flexibility between our working and personal lives. • The new Senior Nurses’ Network is just getting started, but it is already helping to raise the voices of working nurses aged 55 and above. SNN is a supportive space where you can share experiences, be heard and help shape meaningful change. If you are interested in joining, please contact the SNN chair at snn@bcnu.org.

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HONOURING LEGACIES BCNU remembers Aman Grewal, Anne Shannon and Sheila Blaikie Across decades of dedicated advocacy, these trailblazing leaders and advocates left indelible marks on BCNU through their unwavering commitment.

A AMAN GREWAL

November 28, 1966 – April 15, 2025

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MAN GREWAL dedicated her life to nursing, union leadership and the pursuit of social justice. A respected BC Nurses’ Union leader and passionate advocate, her voice and steadfast compassion had a profound impact on nurses across the province.

Born in Duncan, BC, Aman began her nursing career at Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH). During a 1989 nurses’ strike, she quickly emerged as a natural leader, stepping forward as SMH’s job action coordinator.

This event marked the beginning of over three decades of frontline nursing and persistent advocacy for safer working conditions and a more equitable health-care system.

Over her 33-year career, Aman served in several roles, always bringing integrity and clarity to her work. However, it was through union leadership that she made her most lasting impact. As BCNU Vice President (2019–2021) and President (2021–2023), she championed policies rooted in equity and inclusion. This work elevated

BCNU’s influence at bargaining tables, within the legislature and across the labour movement.

Aman was instrumental in shaping the 2022–2025 NBA provincial agreement, helping secure landmark provisions on minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

She chaired BCNU’s Human Rights and Equity Committee, co-led the union’s Truth and Reconciliation work and served on numerous working groups focused on member rights, education and governance reform.

Whether on a picket line or at the bedside, Aman brought both courage and comfort. She was a unifier who inspired others to lead and believe in their collective power. “Aman’s kindness and dedication to improving the lives of nurses was truly remarkable,” said BCNU President Adriane Gear.

“Her contributions will be remembered by all who worked alongside her.”

Aman’s legacy is one of unwavering committment, fierce compassion and deep belief in the strength of nurses – now and always.

ANNE SHANNON

August 30, 1943 – November 11, 2024

A

NNE SHANNON WAS A respected BCNU leader and a longtime Vancouver Island nurse whose early contributions strengthened the foundation for BCNU’s strong advocacy.

Born in Limerick, Ireland, Anne trained as a registered nurse in London before immigrating to British Columbia in 1966. She applied her skills and warmth to patient care at Campbell River Hospital, Alder Medical Centre and Yucalta Lodge.

Anne’s steadfast dedication to her colleagues and profession propelled her into BCNU activism in the late 1980s. She served as Regional Chair and later, in 2004, took on the role of BCNU Vice President – a position she held with distinction until her retirement in 2008. As Vice President, she also served on the board of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, working to unite nurses across the country in advocacy for both their profession and their patients, and to secure public health care for all Canadians.

Throughout her dedicated union service, Anne was a passionate and articulate advocate. She fought for safer workplaces, increased staffing and the fair treatment of nurses. “Anne’s principled leadership resonated with all who worked alongside her at BCNU,” said former BCNU President Debra McPherson. “She was a strong, thoughtful presence and was admired by many.”

Anne leaves behind a legacy of solidarity and a deep respect for the transformative power of collective action.

SHEILA BLAIKIE

February 16, 1937 – February 15, 2025

S

HEILA BLAIKIE WAS A trailblazer who played a fundamental role in laying the foundation of the BC Nurses’ Union.

A nurse by training and an organizer by instinct, Sheila played a vital role in the creation of BCNU. Born in Winnipeg, Sheila pursued nursing at the age of 18, graduating from the nursing training program at St. Paul’s Hospital in 1959.

From 1974 to 1980, she was an integral part of the pioneering group that shaped BCNU from the ground up. Her remarkable courage and visionary insight were crucial in establishing many of the fundamental rights and organizational structures that BCNU members can rely on today.

Sheila powerfully demonstrated a dedication to both professionalism and unionism. “Her humility, unwavering resolve and lifelong commitment to social justice are deeply woven into the fabric of BCNU’s identity – a legacy that reflects the remarkable leader she was,” said former BCNU President Debra McPherson.

She remained a proud BCNU member for life.

Her profound legacy lives on in every nurse who courageously raises their voice to protect and advance their profession.

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STAFF PROFILE GET TO KNOW YOUR BCNU STAFF

“I feel privileged and fortunate to represent the nurses whose primary focus is to provide safe patient care,” says BCNU Coordinator, Labour Relations, Carolin Bleich.

CAROLIN BLEICH COORDINATOR, LABOUR RELATIONS Previous Roles: Labour Relations Officer, Full-time Steward For many BCNU staff members, representing nurses across BC isn’t just a professional matter – it’s personal. The union regularly draws talent from the BCNU membership, and members who show a passion for representing their co-workers can often find themselves developing their skills in union jobs.

To help BCNU members learn more about the people who work hard for them, Update Magazine sat down with Carolin Bleich, BCNU labour relations coordinator for Fraser Health.

What has your journey been like with BCNU? I graduated as a nurse in 1998 and started working at Delta Hospital on the surgical unit.

In 2003, the hospital closed the unit. I obtained a position at Surrey Memorial Hospital and worked there until I became a full-time steward in 2005.

While working at Delta Hospital, I launched a grievance regarding where the employer had placed me on the wage scale. My grievance was resolved successfully, and within a few months I became active in BCNU as a local steward. My mom was also a nurse at Peace Arch Hospital and an active steward, which contributed to my interest and desire to become more active.

A few months after I started working at Surrey Memorial Hospital, members of the Hospital Employees’ Union took job action, and I had the opportunity to work as the BCNU job action coordinator.

Although stressful and chaotic at times, I never felt more proud to be working for a health-care union supporting another union’s strike.

Later on, I had the privilege of participating in a BCNUsponsored labour relations officer (LRO) educational program at Capilano College.

This opportunity reinforced

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my decision to pursue a career in labour relations. I loved being a nurse. At my core, I will always identify as a nurse. Working in labour and providing advocacy, support and guidance to the nurses who devote their working lives to caring for patients continues to be a passion for me and work that I consider very meaningful.

As a labour relations (LR) coordinator, I now oversee the Fraser Health LR team. It’s a role I have enjoyed immensely since 2014, although I’ve been with BCNU for over 17 years now.

What do you enjoy the most about working with your team?

Throughout my LR career, I have had the opportunity to work with and mentor many LROs. The ongoing process of developing and nurturing LROs to enhance their skills, performance and engagement within BCNU has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my leadership role.

Mentoring the Fraser Health team and building their capacity aligns with BCNU’s core values and is fulfilling. Being a part of their growth and watching them broaden their skills and become strong LR practitioners is gratifying.

The Fraser Health team is very supportive of each other, and we work as a collective. We all appreciate that everybody has something to contribute and different perspectives to offer. That diversity adds a lot of strength to our team.

What’s one achievement for members that you’re especially proud of?

I’m very proud of the work I did with the bargaining committee in negotiating the 2019–2022 public service contract. It was one of the most exciting, challenging and exhausting processes that I have ever been involved in.

BCNU’s public service members are a unique group of nurses who work with vulnerable and high-risk children, youth and adults in government programs across the province. Historically, their top bargaining issue has been achieving wage parity with the nurses under the Nurses’ Bargaining Association provincial collective agreement. In the 2019 contract, we were finally able to make considerable progress towards wage parity. I’m very proud that the ratification vote for that contract came back with a 100 percent “yes” vote. •

OFF DUTY MEMBERS AFTER HOURS

BALANCING TWO CALLINGS IN THE INTERIOR OF BC, TRACY GADSBY MANAGES NURSING AND RANCH LIFE ON A HISTORIC 30-ACRE ranch just outside Invermere, BCNU East Kootenay region member Tracy Gadsby has a busy day-to-day schedule.

In addition to her nursing work, she is restoring the ranch with a focus on sustainability.

The ranch, named Karmax, has historic ties to the Columbia Valley. According to Gadsby, the main house, built in 1909, was once home to mountaineer Elizabeth MacCarthy, one of the region’s first female climbers.

Conrad Kain, an Austrian mountaineer known for many of the first mountain ascents in Western Canada, also lived

on the ranch for a period.

“I feel a deep sense of responsibility to keep the connection to the area alive in a way that honours the ranch’s past and history while also looking toward the future,” says Gadsby.

Alongside her husband, who is a carpenter, Gadsby purchased the ranch at the beginning of 2020 after eyeing the property for years.

It has a vineyard, a garden and a variety of animals like chickens, rabbits and working dogs. She says they are hoping to raise sheep too.

“I always had a dream to have lots of property and space,” says Gadsby. “I love

BOOTS ON BCNU member Tracy Gadsby raises animals on a historic ranch she is restoring in the Kootenays.

animals and being connected to the land.”

Some of the sustainable infrastructure they’ve built on the land includes a chicken coop with its own rainwater collection source and composting.

Long-term, Gadsby and her husband hope to open Karmax Ranch to visitors for eco-tourism and education, envisioning a place where people can enjoy the land and learn how to live self-sufficiently.

“It’s not just about preserving the land,” says Gadsby. “It’s about restoring it, living in a balance and creating something lasting for the future.”

Ranch life is very rewarding, says Gadsby, but it’s not without its challenges. There are no days off, no matter the weather, and there are no town amenities. Wildlife like

bears and coyotes also frequent the area. To deal with these challenges, Gadsby says it’s important to always be aware.

“Just like nursing, ranch life requires problem solving,” she says.

Gadsby graduated in 2014 from the inaugural two-year LPN program at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, BC. She worked as a care aide before becoming a nurse.

She is a worksite steward at Invermere Health Centre.

She also works in a temporary role in the emergency department at East Kootenay Regional Hospital.

As a member of the Nurses’ Bargaining Association Provincial Bargaining Committee, she wants to bring community and rural voices to the forefront of discussions about working conditions.

“I’ve seen the challenges nurses face, and I joined to advocate for safe, fair and sustainable working conditions,” says Gadsby.

“Rural nurses can be so isolated. We don’t always have the resources that are available in bigger cities. We are expected to do more with less. You have to be creative and think fast.” •

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WHO CAN HELP? BCNU IS HERE TO SERVE MEMBERS

Here’s how you can get in touch with the right person to help you.

CONTACT YOUR

Stewards for all workplace concerns.

Regional Council Members if your steward can’t help, or for all regional matters.

Provincial Executive Committee for all provincial, federal or union policy issues.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS CENTRAL VANCOUVER Gerald Dyer 604-786-0594 geralddyer@bcnu.org Kristina Hernandez 604-329-1343 kristinahernandez@bcnu.org COASTAL MOUNTAIN Angela Crawford 778-867-4161 angelacrawford@bcnu.org EAST KOOTENAY Denise Waurynchuk 250-919-2178 denisewaurynchuk@bcnu.org

PRESIDENT Adriane Gear 778-679-9968 adrianegear@bcnu.org

TREASURER Sharon Sponton 250-877-2547 sharonsponton@bcnu.org

VICE PRESIDENT Tristan Newby 604-313-1308 tristannewby@bcnu.org

EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR Aida Herrera 604-612-8871 aidaherrera@bcnu.org

FRASER VALLEY Parveen Gill 604-309-3223 parveengill@bcnu.org

RICHMOND VANCOUVER Sara Mattu 778-989-8231 saramattu@bcnu.org

SOUTH ISLANDS Caitlin Jarvis 250-883-6593 caitlinjarvis@bcnu.org

NORTH EAST Danette Thomsen 250-960-8621 danettethomsen@bcnu.org

SHAUGHNESSY HEIGHTS Claudette Jut 604-786-8422 claudettejut@bcnu.org

Leanne Robertson-Weeds 778-222-7997 leannerobertsonweeds@bcnu.org

NORTH WEST Teri Forster 250-615-8077 teriforster@bcnu.org

SIMON FRASER Wendy Gibbs 604-240-1242 wendygibbs@bcnu.org

OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN Candice DeSousa 250-462-9517 candidesousa@bcnu.org

Frank Martens (Interim) 604-308-4848 frankmartens@bcnu.org

PACIFIC RIM Deidre Knudson (Interim) 250-816-0865 deidreknudson@bcnu.org

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EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR Michelle Sordal 604-765-3214 michellesordal@bcnu.org

THOMPSON NORTH OKANAGAN Leah Takats (Interim) 250-241-5952 leahtakats@bcnu.org VANCOUVER METRO Meghan Friesen 604-250-0751 meghanfriesen@bcnu.org

SOUTH FRASER VALLEY Glesy Banton-Victoria WEST KOOTENAY 778-892-0978 Shalane Wesnoski glesybantonvictoria@bcnu.org 250-231-5655 shalanewesnoski@bcnu.org Peggy Holton 306-463-0106 peggyholton@bcnu.org

COUNCIL PROFILE HERE’S WHO’S WORKING FOR YOU

“We want nurses to have a safe workload so they can provide the care patients need, have a safe work environment and actually enjoy the job they do,” says BCNU Coastal Mountain regional council member Angela Crawford.

MAKING NURSING BETTER COASTAL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER ANGELA CRAWFORD QUICK FACTS NAME Angela Crawford GRADUATED 1983, Enrolled Nurse, Glasgow Royal Infirmary; 1987 RN, Glasgow Royal Hospital for Sick Children; 2015 BScN, University of Victoria UNION POSITION Coastal Mountain Regional Council Member WHY I SUPPORT BCNU? “BCNU empowers nurses to know their rights and is there to be a voice for those who don’t have one.”

WHEN ANGELA Crawford moved back to Canada from the United Kingdom in 2018, she was concerned that the issues nurses were facing in the UK, such as short staffing, were also becoming a reality here in British Columbia.

Then the pandemic hit, and Crawford felt it was time to advocate for nurses as a worksite steward on Vancouver’s North Shore.

She later became an interim regional council member for BCNU’s Coastal Mountain region in 2022 and was elected as the regional council member in 2023.

“I’ve always been a strong advocate for nursing, patient care and equality. In 2020, it was time to stand up and do union work formally,” she says.

Growing up in the UK, Crawford initially became interested in nursing due to the pay and housing accommodations available to nurses at the time. She left high school at age 16 and became a nurse at 17.

“I always say I didn’t find nursing, nursing found me,” she says. “Once I started the profession, nursing became my passion.”

Crawford describes her work history as “expansive,

varied and wonderful.” She worked as a nurse in Scotland before moving to Canada in 2005. She has worked in longterm care, in an acute medical unit, in a pediatric ICU, and in home care and palliative care.

She also worked as a nurse in the cruise ship industry for 10 years.

“I love empowering people to care for themselves. I love speaking to people and hearing their stories. I just enjoy being a nurse,” Crawford says. “I particularly value working with marginalized people and those who don’t have as much as others,” she says.

Crawford strongly supports publicly funded health care and says that home and palliative care are her passions.

“I’ve seen a lot of loss in my life,” she explains. “After somebody is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, when you can care for them at home, you can support them in their journey, assessing and addressing symptoms and providing psychological support to them and their family.”

As the regional council member for BCNU’s Coastal Mountain region, Crawford sits on the Joint Regional Implementation Committee for Vancouver

Coastal Health, supporting the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. She also sits on the Member Engagement Steward Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Union’s advisory committee for internationally educated nurses.

She enjoys attending conventions, regional events and rallies where she gets to hear different nurses’ perspectives.

“I love hearing nurses’ stories, and I like to problem solve. Nurses are amazing and resilient. I like to hear about the ways we can support them and empower them to know their rights,” says Crawford.

She applauds the union’s legacy work to implement minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, and hopes ratios help make nursing a career that more people want to pursue.

“I’ve had a wonderful nursing career, and I’m heartbroken to see the way nursing is now,” says Crawford.

“We want nurses to have a safe workload so they can provide the care patients need, have a safe work environment and actually enjoy the job they do.”•

LABOUR DAY

SEPT. 1

2025

We’ve always been united by solidarity and a shared commitment to care.

Despite working short-staffed and often in unsafe conditions, BCNU members continue to provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients at their most vulnerable.

Our solidarity – with each other and all health-care workers – drives the ongoing fight to improve health care and create safer workplaces for everyone.

It’s not just about keeping the health-care system running – it’s about moving it forward.

We’re stronger together.

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