Interim Chief Executive Officer Report
BCNU’s Interim Chief Executive Officer Jim Gould began his address by recognizing the dire working conditions of members and the impact this continues to have on nurses and their patients. He thanked delegates for the compassionate care they provide every day even when they themselves are overwhelmed and exhausted. Gould reassured the delegation that their elected leadership is working hard on their behalf and that they are prepared to fight for what is right. “As we head to the bargaining table with the employer this fall, your bargaining committee is ready and committed to work hard for you,” said Gould.
Gould went on to provide delegates with noteworthy highlights of work completed by some of BCNU’s staff departments to support the membership over the past year.
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Nearly 3,600 grievances resolved by labour relations staff over the last two years.
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A new online learning platform launched by the Education department allowing staff to deliver education virtually. In 2023, BCNU will offer hybrid learning options to members.
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The professional responsibility staff team continue to support members with practice concerns related to the professional nursing standards of practice and solves practice issues at the local level.
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The LEAP department staff, who assist and advocate for members with matters related to professional practice complaints, closed 486 files in the last 16 months – 89 percent of which were successful or partially successfully (either dismissed or reduced).
The research and policy team ensures that BCNU has the information it needs to make informed decisions. The latest bargaining survey is still available on BCNU’s Member Portal. “We have had just over 13,700 responses to date,” Gould shared. “If you haven’t completed the survey yet, I encourage you to take the time. Your bargaining team needs to hear from you.” Human rights and equity (HRE) staff work to support the union’s four equity seeking caucuses as well as two non-equity seeking ones.
Finally, the communications department has been focused on building momentum with members and raising public awareness of the state of our health-care system. In April 2022, BCNU launched a province-wide ad campaign resulting in increased public support for nurses – with 87 percent of those surveyed in May 2022 in agreement that nurses require more staff support.
In closing, Gould reminded delegates that the union is committed to its members and ready and willing to embrace change. “We are a values-based organization, committed to being as transparent as we can with members and will be doing things differently moving forward. The union recognizes and welcomes diversity. We are individuals drawn together to act in support of justice and equality and when we work together in solidarity, our collective voice will be stronger than ever.”