Member Engagement and Political Action
BCNU Vice President Adriane Gear delivered a fulsome report on her portfolio, including updates on provincial human rights and equity (HRE) committee work, member engagement, campaigns and political action and ongoing support for the elected regional council lobby coordinators.
The HRE committee, composed of the chairs and council liaisons of the four equity-seeking and two non-equity seeking caucuses works to deliver a more just and equitable organization. "The work of the caucuses, like much of the labour of nursing, is hidden: the emotional and practical support provided to members to assist them in navigating our often-unforgiving workplaces and raising awareness of the issues of white privilege, of heterosexual privilege, of ableism, and class privilege," says Gear.
As public health restrictions have lifted, BCNU has been out in full force engaging with members. "Last spring, we hosted a series of townhalls where Aman, Jim and I made a commitment, on behalf of Council to make member engagement a top priority," says Gear.
"The union hosted a vigil and rally in Victoria during National Nursing Week in May, we've engaged in member and public outreach activities in several regions this summer, and hosted the Provincial Bargaining Conference in October."
In a new province-wide campaign, BCNU shared the stories of members confidentially to highlight the impacts of the health-care crisis on their physical and mental health. "We thank those members that provided us with alarming examples of how the staffing crisis is impacting the delivery of safe patient care. We know it was difficult and we appreciate you speaking with us," said Gear.
"While BCNU is non-partisan, we are political and engage in political action," says Gear. Recently, council hosted events in Victoria in October to engage with all three political parties on the nursing shortage crisis.
Gear also recognized the important advocacy work of BCNU's lobby coordinators and stewards. "Our elected lobby coordinators play an important role in engaging with municipal, provincial, and federal government. BCNU stewards are the backbone of our union and the face of BCNU in the workplace and I thank both groups for their continued work with members," says Gear.