Executive Councillor Report: Health and Safety and Mental Health
The opening day of BCNU’s 2023 convention included a report from Aida Herrera, the union’s Executive Councillor for occupational health and safety and mental health. She spoke to delegates about new health and safety language negotiated as part of the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) collective agreement and acknowledged the invaluable work of the union’s activists and staff.
She began by thanking BCNU’s health and safety officers and Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) representatives. “You are fully committed to supporting all members and I am grateful for your hard work,” said Herrera.
She told delegates the recent agreements that are now part of the NBA contract will help make nurses’ workplaces safer. This includes an improved injury reporting system that will make it easier to report on health and safety violations.
Cheers erupted when Herrera spoke about achieving better access to employer safety data. “We will get real time access to records – the employer cannot hide from us anymore and we will hold them accountable,” she remarked.
“EDMP reps are a huge part of our success in helping those who are suffering,” she said, and reported that 3,000 members have been helped by the program in the last year. “We are now committed to growing the EDMP by increasing the number of reps from 17 to 22, and these additional reps will assist more members and offer better care to those who need it,” she added.
Herrera concluded by inviting member feedback. “We want to hear from you about what to improve, because there’s so much more work still to be done,” she said. “Too many nurses are still being injured at work and we need your voice to help us speak up and speak out for change.”