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August 27, 1998
Proposal For Merged RN/RPN Seniority List Tabled
The Nurses Association Bargaining Committee tabled proposals on jurisdictional language in negotiations with HEABC this week. The proposals call for a merged seniority list at each worksite for Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses who are members of the BCNU, the HSA and the UPN and no discrimination in the hiring of RPNs or diploma prepared RNs and RPNs.
A further proposal is that HEABC endorse a jurisdictional agreement ruled on by umpire John Baigent, which lays out which union newly hired nurses will join, depending on their credentials, and the union/s already representing nurses at that worksite.
Effect of a Merged Seniority List
If these proposals are accepted, both casual RNs and RPNs will have access to casual work previously allocated to one of the three unions. In the case of displacements, cross-union bumping could occur within the worksite. So any previous 'HSA line' could be accessed by a BCNU member and vice versa.
No Discrimination Clause
The unions who make up the Nurses Bargaining Association (BCNU, HSA and UPN) tabled the following language to stop employers from putting inappropriate qualifications on job postings. BCNU has been very concerned that employers are increasingly demanding a BSN. HSA and the UPN are concerned that RPNs are being excluded from some job postings for which they are qualified-
"The Employer will not discriminate against RPNs, LGNs or diploma prepared RNs and RPNs in posting jobs, filling vacancies and access to work, pursuant to Article 17 and Article 11.04. Any qualifications set by the employer must reasonable reflect the requirements of the job." |
Why has BCNU Agreed to Propose Merged Seniority Lists?
Bill 28, the legislation which provided that there would be one provincial contract for all nurses also mandated that the unions which represent Registered Nurses (largely BCNU) and the unions which represent Registered Psychiatric Nurses (HSA, UPN and BCNU) would form a joint bargaining committee and present proposals from all three unions.
After a series of hearings at the Labour Relations Board, the LRB laid down rules ("Articles of Association") about how the unions would agree which proposals to put on the table and what would happen if they disagreed. Smaller unions with fewer votes had the right to "grieve" to a jurisdictional umpire if the Association Bargaining Committee voted against their proposal.
BCNU, HSA and UPN each came with different jurisdictional proposals and a great deal of time was spent discussing which proposals would eventually go forward. Some proposals could not be finalized through discussion and were referred to John Baigent, as a jurisdictional umpire, to decide. The proposals on the merged seniority list and no discrimination language and the jurisdictional agreement, were all issues ruled on by Mr. Baigent.
What happens to grievances on dual-posting and seniority list?
Because we have tabled language on these issues, we have agreed that there will be no new grievances on dual RN/RPN postings. However, there are some outstanding grievances on dual postings that are currently in front of the Labour Relations Board.
BCNU will continue to grieve the merger of seniority lists until such time as there is an agreement with HEABC on all casual call-in by seniority issues or a new Provincial Collective Agreement.
Jurisdictional Agreement
The terms of the Jurisdictional Agreement which we have proposed for HEABC's endorsement are as follows-
"Newly hired RNs and RPNs (single registered) join the union which represents the predominant number of nurses with their credentials at the worksite. Newly hired dual registered nurses will choose their union at the time of hire and will remain in that union unless they change worksite. In all cases (RN, RPN, dual registered) if there is only one association member union representing nurses at that worksite, they join that union.
Notwithstanding the above paragraph, in those workplaces where UPN and BCNU have in the past shared a joint certification, RNs will become BCNU members, RPNs will become UPN members, and dual registered nurses will have their choice of either BCNU or UPN as their union." |
Classification Arbitration Process
Another issue which was discussed with HEABC this week and resolved, is an agreement on an expedited process for classification arbitrations in the future.
Next Bargaining Dates
Negotiations will resume on Sept. 9. Look for the next bulletin on Sept. 10th.
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