President's Message

A HISTORIC MANDATE. A POWERFUL MESSAGE.

To every nurse who voted, organized, spoke with co-workers, attended townhalls, and made your voice heard – thank you.

Together, we have made history.

For the first time in a generation, nurses across British Columbia have delivered one of the strongest strike mandates in Canadian labour history. Between May 8 and 11, 50,850 Nurses’ Bargaining Association members cast a ballot, and 98.2 percent voted YES to authorize strike action.

This extraordinary result has sent a clear message to government and health employers telling them that nurses in this province are united, engaged, and prepared to fight for the changes our patients, our profession, and our public health-care system urgently need.

This moment belongs to every nurse in every corner of this province. It belongs to the nurses working short-staffed night shifts in long-term care. It belongs to emergency room nurses facing relentless overcrowding. It belongs to acute care nurses, community nurses, public health nurses, and every member holding this health-care system together under extraordinary pressure.

This vote was not a decision made lightly. Nurses did not choose this path – health employers forced it.

For six months, your bargaining committee came to the table with real solutions to improve patient care, address unsafe staffing, tackle escalating workplace violence and strengthen benefits. Instead, nurses’ priorities were dismissed.

Your vote has changed that.

This overwhelming mandate marks a critical phase in the NBA bargaining process. It is a powerful recognition of the frustration nurses are feeling, but even more importantly, it is a testament to your solidarity, courage, and unwavering commitment to one another. You have shown government and employers that nurses are not backing down until we get the respect – and the contract – we deserve.

Because of you, the employer has returned to the bargaining table. And because of you, they come knowing that nurses expect serious movement and meaningful progress.

Our work is not done. The vote places us in a legal strike position, but no job action has been announced. What it means is that we are stronger than ever, more united than ever, and prepared to escalate if necessary.

As we continue the fight, I’d like to recognize this incredible achievement and the power of collective action.

Thank you for showing up and staying strong. And thank you for sending a clear message: enough is enough – nurses are ready to fight to make health care better.

In solidarity,

Adriane Gear
President, BC Nurses' Union