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June 2, 1998
Most key proposals exchanged, nurses' bargaining resumed June 2
Bargaining resumed between the Nurses' Bargaining Association and the Health Employers' Association of BC on June 2, following three days of talks last week. Talks are scheduled to continue June 3 and 4.
On May 25 the Nurses' Association tabled the remainder of our proposals to the employer, except for proposals on wages and jurisdictional issues. The association also received the full package of employer proposals.
Much of May 26 was spent reviewing these proposals. Nurses' negotiators also made a preliminary presentation on our proposals for staffing ratios in long term care and in mental health facilities. Employer negotiators responded that perhaps increases in other departments such as in physiotherapy and in activity staff might be needed. BCNU negotiators responded that while increases in non-nursing staff would be an improvement, such increases would not address the need for more nurses in areas of direct patient care.
In the afternoon, the two sides discussed the issue of flex time and the nurses explained the operational usage of flex time. The nurses also took preliminary questions about our proposal for responsibility pay.
On May 27 much of the time was spent reviewing tabled proposals. The Nurses' Association initiated a discussion on the employer's proposals on alternative work locations, selection, personnel records, payroll administration, ESLA as related to temporary postings, and vacation caps.
Meanwhile, BCNU members are not expected to be affected by the latest job action by unions in the facilities support workers' association. Last Friday HEU (and its partners in the facilities support association) served 72-hours notice that a ban on overtime will go into effect at 8 am Tuesday June 2.
As was the case during the previous HEU job action, the move will not cover any worksites from 100 Mile House north because of the current doctors' job action.
The BCNU Bargaining Hotline number is 1-800-667-1079. The message will be updated weekly or more often as the need arises.
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