The British Columbia government and the union representing the province's nurses have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, averting a potential strike. The deal was announced after an overwhelming 98.2 per cent of B.C. nurses voted in favour of job action earlier this month.
The tentative agreement, reached between the Health Employers Association and the Nurses' Bargaining Association, includes measures to support service delivery and improve working conditions for nurses. The agreement will now be presented to union members for ratification.
Key Details of the Agreement
The new collective bargaining agreement covers approximately 62,600 registered, psychiatric, and licensed practical nurses in B.C. The vast majority of these nurses—around 55,000—are represented by the B.C. Nurses' Union and the Health Sciences Association.
The nurses' contract expired in March 2025, and negotiations had been ongoing for six months before reaching an impasse over wages, benefits, and working conditions. A key issue was the lack of support for nurses facing violence in the workplace.
Vote in Favour of Strike Action
Earlier this month, nearly 51,000 nurses voted in favour of job action, marking the first time in 25 years that nurses voted in favour of a strike, according to the union. The potential job action would have been limited and required 72-hour notice, as nurses are considered an essential service.
The proposed strike action would have included work-to-rule measures, where nurses continue to perform their duties but do not take on tasks beyond what is outlined in their collective agreement. This would have included restrictions on non-nursing duties, overtime, and information picket lines.
Government's Previous Offer
The government had previously offered nurses a three per cent wage increase per year over four years. While this offer was in line with other recent agreements with public-sector unions, it fell short of what nurses had demanded. The union noted that other unions had accessed an additional two per cent through enhanced funding, but nurses were only offered 0.4 per cent.
The tentative agreement aims to address these concerns and provide better support for nurses, including measures to improve workplace safety and address violence against healthcare workers.
Next Steps
The agreement will now go to union members for ratification. If approved, the new contract will take effect, ensuring continued healthcare services for British Columbians and avoiding any disruption in nursing services.
The B.C. Nurses' Union President Adriane Gear expressed cautious optimism about the deal, emphasizing the importance of improving working conditions for nurses. The union had previously held rallies calling for safer working conditions, highlighting the need for systemic changes to support healthcare workers.
