Province announces transfer of three facilities out of the public service

April 08, 2013

On March 28th the BC government notified BCNU and UPN it had passed orders in council transferring Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission (FPSC), Oak Bay Lodge, and the Lodge at Broadmead out of the public service, effective June 1, 2013.

FPSC will be transferred to the Provincial Health Services Authority, Oak Bay Lodge to Vancouver Island Health Authority, and the Lodge at Broadmead is to become an independent employer (the Broadmead Care Society) no longer subject to the Public Sector Employers Act.

The transfers continue the provincial government pattern of distancing itself from direct delivery of healthcare services. The notice commits the BC Public Service Agency to work with the affected parties to "ensure an orderly June 1st transition."

UPN and BCNU have notified government of their wish to meet with the Public Service Agency and the new employers in order to discuss terms for the transfer of members. Once these meetings have taken place, meetings will be arranged with members to explain the terms of the transfer agreements and to outline the options available.

Some 300 nurses in total are affected by the transfers, about one third of which are BCNU members; BCNU represents 48 nurses at FPS, 29 at Oak Bay Lodge, and 25 at the Lodge at Broadmead.

Further details will be posted as soon as they become available.