BCNU is in discussions with health employers and government to rectify PharmaCare coverage

As has already been reported to members, BCNU is in discussions with health employers and the government to resolve issues arising from the NBA provincial contract, in particular relating to the PharmaCare Tie-in for members' prescription drug coverage.

BCNU has received more than 300 serious complaints from members indicating that information provided to us by employers during bargaining was not factual. Members report that drugs they require are no longer covered, even though they were on a list of drugs that employers said would be covered. Members also report serious difficulties obtaining Special Authority for prescriptions, including long waits with no coverage, while awaiting access to a specialist who must apply for Special Authority. Others have reported reduced coverage while living on disability out-of-province.

As a result, we have returned to discussions with the government and the Health Employers Association of BC to rectify these issues.

Several other provisions bargained in the NBA contract were originally designed to be part of a four-year agreement - including the government's commitment to create an additional 2,125 nursing FTEs by March 31, 2016. In the end, the parties settled on a two-year term. However, in the process of discussions on the PharmaCare Tie-in about, the length of the contract term has come up. BCNU continues to prefer a two-year extension which would lead to a four-year term that would also address PharmaCare coverage and compensation.

BCNU also believes that all nurses should bargain together in the Nurses Bargaining Association and that it is inappropriate for Licensed Practical Nurses not to be included. Nurses have collected more than 7,000 postcards asking for LPNs to be transferred to the NBA.