NU Connections

Steward Role:
With the upcoming steward elections, now is the time to become more familiar with the role and recruit more stewards.  The more stewards involved in BCNU the stronger the team becomes.  The first step in becoming a steward is to take the Building Union Strength (BUS) course.  It is a one day, salary reimbursed, event hosted in your region by Member Educators.  

Grievance Process:
One of the central activities Stewards are involved in is the grievance process.  The NBA Grievance Process Overview is a short online module providing an overview of the process.  While this one is specific to the NBA, those members and stewards from other collective agreements will still find it informative.

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Unions play an integral role in the workplace by improving working conditions, including wages, safety, and benefits. There are three different operation models used by unions in North America: servicing, organizing and member-centric models. BCNU's model fosters a member-centric culture and encourages all members to become involved, engaged and empowered members.

Who Is BCNU? is a short online education module to learn more about BCNU's core vision and mission, as well as the member supports, services, and resources that the union offers its members. The module also includes links to resources for learning your employment rights. 

How to Report Safety Concerns: 
Reporting safety concerns is the first step in getting them corrected.  Hopefully it is also the last step.  This education module, is an orientation to reporting, documenting and following up on safety concerns. 
 
Introduction to JOSHC:
The Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) is a worksite committee where members and their employer work collaboratively to resolve safety issues in the workplace.  To find out more about JOHSC, please review this module. If you are interested in becoming a JOHSC worker representative, contact your elected OHS representative or your Regional Council Member. 
 
Refusal of Unsafe Work:
All workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. This right, how to enact it, the law that supports this right and the challenges for nurses are explored in this online education module..

BCNU’s Licensing, Education, Advocacy and Practice (LEAP) Program was established in 1988 to assist and advocate for members with matters related to professional practice complaints to the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), as well as those related to licensing challenges, mental health concerns and substance use.
 
If you answer 'yes' to any of the following statements, or if you are unsure, please contact the LEAP Intake Assistant as soon as possible at leap@bcnu.org:

• You, your colleague(s) or employer are concerned about your fitness to practice. This may include physical or mental health conditions, such as substance use or mood disorders.
• Concerns have been raised about your competency to practice.
• A formal complaint was made against your nursing practice.
• You are having difficulty obtaining a practicing license.
• You have failed the NCLEX-RN, REx-PN (formerly CPNRE), or RPNCE.

All BCNU members are eligible to apply for the LEAP Program. To apply for the LEAP Program, please complete the LEAP Application and Authorization form. 

The parties now agree to a revised Professional Responsibility process to address only professional practice problems, which includes any practice problem related to the Nursing Standards of Practice of the provincial regulatory body including those which may put patients, residents and/or clients at risk. The Professional Responsibility Process web page can be found here. 

It is important that members know their rights - you have the right to time off. Members are entitled to a variety of employment leaves, many of them are paid time off. Any time off from work is considered a leave and there are rules and conditions that apply to each type of leave.
 
Make sure you know what you are entitled to by reviewing your collective agreement. Click here to access an online version from the BCNU website.
 
Learn more about how to read your collective agreement by reviewing the online education module.