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BCNU reaches breakthrough tentative agreement with the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority
BCNU has reached a breakthrough tentative agreement for 15 RNs at the Nisga'a Valley Health Authority.
If ratified by members, the agreement would provide wage parity with the Provincial Collective Agreement, on-going recruitment and retention bonuses and significant language to protect nurses against harassment and violence.
Wages
The agreement provides a 6.6 per cent market adjustment retroactive to April 1, 2007, followed by increases of 2.5 per cent April 1, 2008 and 4.2 per cent April 1, 2009 when the rates will match those under the PCA.
Recruitment and Retention Bonuses
Each nurse would be paid a recruitment bonus of $2,000 in the month of hiring, and another $2,000 after one-year. In addition there will be a retention bonus of $2,000 each year thereafter, retroactive to April 11, 2007.
Harassment and violence language
The agreement contains the following language
| No harassment |
| 53.02 |
C) |
Protection against harassment extends to incidents occurring at or away from the work place, during or outside hours, and includes incidents related to client, patient or visitor contact providing such acts are committed within the course of the employment relationship. |
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In these situations, the Employer shall ensure the employee is directly supported by the Employer and shall take all actions necessary to ensure the harassment ceases and is dealt with on a priority basis. |
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| On CAll Duty |
| 23.06 |
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A nurse on call who responds to a call from a client that poses a risk or injury due to violence or abuse shall have the right to refuse to treat the client. |
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| 23.07 |
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If, in the judgment of the nurse, responding to a particular client poses a medical emergency, or event of unusual circumstances such that an extra person is required to attend, the nurse shall have the authority to do so. |
In-Charge Relief
General duty nurses relieving nurses in charge of a health centre will receive an hourly in charge premium of $2.50.
There were other improvements. In addition, extensive policy discussions were successful in resolving issues related to nurses working alone, housing, travel expenses, prevention and management of aggressive behaviour, and violence in the workplace.
Ratification will be my mail-in ballot in the next two weeks.
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