Meet the Team

The members of the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) Provincial Bargaining Committee have a big job ahead of them. 

This dedicated team, composed of seven BCNU members elected by their peers, plays a critical role in negotiating the collective agreement that protects and improves nurses’ working conditions across BC.

They bring diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to fighting for the best possible deal in upcoming contract negotiations.

Working alongside BCNU’s Chief Negotiator Jim Gould, President Adriane Gear and representatives of the Health Sciences Association and Hospital Employees’ Union, the committee has been hard at work since being elected, preparing for bargaining dates in the fall.

To hear directly from the membership, the committee will be out and about over the summer and fall, speaking with members in worksites across the province. BCNU members should keep an eye out for these folks in their workplaces and take advantage of this unique opportunity to have their voices heard.

Get to know the committee that will represent NBA members at the bargaining table later this year. 

ADRIANE GEAR

BCNU President & NBA Committee Chair

A registered nurse since 1993, Adriane brings nearly two decades of union leadership and frontline experience in long-term care, general surgery and public health.

Adriane became active in BCNU after a workplace injury, sparking her deep commitment to health and safety. She has served as a regional occupational health and safety rep, regional council member and vice-president, leading campaigns on mental health, staffing shortages and equity in health care.

Known for her bold advocacy and collaborative leadership, Adriane is dedicated to safe working conditions, strong contracts, championing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. She is also dedicated to minimum nurse-to-patient ratios to improve staffing and practice conditions, support nurse retention and enhance patient care.

JIM GOULD

BCNU CEO & Chief Negotiator

Jim has been serving as BCNU’s CEO since 2022. During his tenure, he and his bargaining team led the negotiation of Canada’s top nursing salaries in the 2022–2025 contract.

With nearly 20 years of experience as BCNU’s senior legal counsel, Jim has represented nurses in pivotal legal battles that have strengthened the collective agreement. He has negotiated substantial commitments from the BC government to establish minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and enhance nurse retention and recruitment. 

Jim is a proud advocate for workers’ rights and the vital role of unions in protecting them. His deep commitment to improving conditions for nurses in BC is rooted in personal experience – his late mother was a nurse, and his daughter is studying nursing.

JO-ANNA HANER

Long-Term Care – Thompson North Okanagan

Jo-Anna is a dedicated nurse and union advocate with 15 years of experience across acute, community and long-term care settings. She is known for her unwavering commitment to better working conditions for nurses – and better patient care.

A former steward, joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee member and deputy returning officer, Jo-Anna has supported nurses through various educator roles.

Driven by her passion for empowering members and providing them with the tools and resources they need to deliver safe, quality care, she brings that same dedication to bargaining and to fighting for a contract that respects nurses and strengthens the profession across BC.

TRACY GADSBY

Community Care – East Kootenay

Tracy is a licensed practical nurse with over 10 years of experience in emergency, medical-surgical and community care. Based in Invermere, she is an active BCNU steward and joint occupational health and safety (JOHS) committee member, where she advocates for better working conditions and a stronger voice for nurses.

Tracy brings a determined, hard-working spirit to the NBA Bargaining Committee, and she is passionate about improving health care. Outside of nursing, she enjoys life on her ranch, embracing the values of community and resilience.

Tracy is known for her fearless advocacy and unwavering commitment to supporting fellow nurses in all areas of health care.

CARLY KOEPPEN

Community Care – South Islands

Carly is a dedicated registered nurse and union activist. Since 2015, she has served as a steward, BCNU South Islands region mental health advocate, steward liaison, regional council member and is currently serving as the lobby coordinator for her region.

With a strong belief in unity and collaboration, Carly has developed deep appreciation of the many workplace challenges nurses face. She has strong experience enforcing the collective agreement to support her colleagues. She is committed to ensuring nurses’ voices are heard and their rights protected.

Carly considers it an honour to represent the NBA and approaches her role with perseverance, curiosity and dedication to the profession.

JEREME BENNETT

Acute Care, Large Facilities – North East

Jereme is a seasoned nurse and union activist with 23 years of experience, including five as a licensed practical nurse and 17 as a registered nurse. He has worked in neurosurgery, palliative care and is currently the program lead for Family Medicine at the University Hospital of Northern BC.

A 16-year steward, Jereme has held many roles in the union, including regional OHS rep, treasurer and interim regional council member. He has served as BCNU North East regional treasurer since 2021. He also served on the Bargaining Committee in the 2022–2025 round.

Jereme is recognized for his deep understanding of nurses’ challenges and his determination to secure fair treatment and stronger protections for all members.

ROY HANSEN

Acute Care, Large Facilities – Simon Fraser

Roy is a registered psychiatric nurse and fearless labour advocate known for his strategic leadership and in-depth knowledge of the NBA collective agreement.  
Roy has been a BCNU steward since 2013 and has held numerous roles, including member organizer, BCNU Simon Fraser region professional responsibility advocate and Royal Columbian Hospital full-time steward.

He currently serves as a BCNU Simon Fraser regional council member.

Roy was one of the two Acute Care – Large Facilities representatives during the 2022–2025 of NBA Bargaining. Respected for his fearless advocacy, Roy brings experience and a relentless commitment to protecting nurses’ rights across the province.

SCOTT DUVALL

Acute Care, Medium Facilities – Thompson North Okanagan

Scott is a registered nurse and currently serves as BCNU Thompson North Okanagan regional council member. He previously served as the union’s interim provincial treasurer in 2015.

Since 2009, Scott has worked in emergency rooms and Intensive Care Units across his region. A 15-year BCNU steward, he has also served as the Thompson North Okanagan region’s communications secretary and treasurer before his election to BCNU Council in 2020.

Scott is based in Vernon, on the unceded lands and territory of the Okanagan peoples, and is a proud father of two grown sons. He is dedicated to fighting for the fair treatment of nurses and has been actively involved in labour advocacy and occupational health and safety.

SHERRILL HARMER

Acute Care, Small Facilities – Richmond Vancouver

Sherrill is a registered nurse with 44 years of experience across three Canadian provinces and one US state. She has a passion for the diverse aspects of nursing and continuously strives to improve the workplaces she serves.

For the past seven years, she has been an active steward liaison on the BCNU Richmond Vancouver regional executive while holding a full-time position at HealthLink BC. She is the steward at large for her region, and she was elected as a human rights and equity representative on BCNU’s newly formed Senior Nurses’ Network.

Outside of nursing, Sherrill enjoys dining out and traveling – a passion so strong she even worked as a travel agent alongside her nursing career. She is a proud mother of two grown daughters.

UPDATE (Summer 2025)