Executive Directors Provide Operational Reports
Convention 2025 delegates heard reports from two of the union’s senior directors about the work the organization has been doing to support both members and staff.
BCNU Executive Director of Member Services Deb Charrois informed delegates about the union’s labour relations successes, reporting that the labour relations department currently has more than 3,100 active grievances, with the largest number in Fraser Health. She also reported that the union settled outstanding disputes with the Health Employers Association of BC that now recognizes the service of LPNs who were previously members of the Facilities or Community bargaining associations.
Charrois said the union’s occupational health and safety department has had a 66 percent overall success rate with WorkSafeBC appeals and an 88 percent success rate with long-term disability appeals. She said the union’s professional practice and advocacy staff have begun delivering significantly more educational opportunities for members.
She also pointed to the union’s nomination for a 2025 national marketing award for its Home for the Holidays television advertisement and the work that went into organizing the regional, human rights and equity and provincial bargaining conferences.
BCNU Executive Director of Operations David Tsai also provided a report, informing delegates that the union continues to lead all nursing unions across Canada in its work on truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He also spoke about the human resources department’s ongoing staff engagement and training efforts to ensure safe and healthy workplaces for BCNU staff.
Tsai reported that the union’s information technology department regularly responds to member service requests and ensures the union’s technology is up to date and secure and is currently working on revamping the union’s website. He said the finance department rolled out a new member expense dashboard last year and is continually working to improve that system. He also reported statistics detailing the volume of work handled by the union’s membership department.
Charrois and Tsai thanked directors, managers and staff for their work in service of BCNU members, fighting together to improve the working lives of nurses in the province.