BCNU reaches significant agreement for nurses affected by certain Fraser Health cuts
Members get enhanced access to worksite vacancies, including specialty vacancies with education funding, to ease workplace anxiety in an effort to minimize displacements and bumping
BCNU has reached a significant agreement for nurses that will ensure enhanced access to positions for members affected by budget-cutting redesign initiatives in the Fraser Health Authority.
The agreement is a major achievement for BCNU in working to protect members and improve their professional opportunities, even in a climate of government and health authority cuts.
It will help ease workplace anxiety in an effort to minimize displacements and bumping.
A key feature is access to specialty education money from Fraser Health for any affected nurse who applies for a vacancy in a specialty area (e.g., ER, OR, ICU, perinatology).
The agreement provides an expedited job selection process in each workplace in an effort to minimize bumping. It gives nurses an opportunity to apply for workplace vacancies, including new and changed lines in new and changed rotations created by Fraser Health restructuring.
With the nursing shortage the parties to the agreement were determined to do everything possible to ensure every nurse has the option to continue being employed.
The agreement covers members affected by the introduction of the PATH project, elective surgical cuts and changes at Queens Park Care Centre.
The job selection process will begin with a worksite job fair Oct. 1-6 for all affected members at each covered worksite. Before the job fair, unit managers and HR, in conjunction with BCNU stewards and Labour Relations Officers will agree on which units are included. These units will include units that will have an increase or decrease in staffing or have a change in method of patient care delivery.
All vacancies, which include new and changed lines in new and changed rotations from that worksite, will be offered to affected employees in order of seniority. Employees may change status from full time to part time or vice versa, and may alter their FTE. They may choose a specialty vacancy which will have training monies attached.
If an employee does not choose a vacancy during the job fair, they will be given displacement notice with bumping rights under the collective agreement on Oct. 13.
The union agrees to facilitate possible new or changed extended shift rotations. When nurses have signed the overtime waiver the rotation can be implemented before union approval, with the understanding the employer will work with staff to correct any problems.
Read the agreement.
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