Approximately 51,000 registered, psychiatric, and licensed practical nurses in British Columbia have approved a new three-year collective agreement. The deal, which came into effect retroactively on April 1, 2022, includes wage increases, better on-call rates, responsibility pay, premiums, and other perks, such as additional mentorship positions and initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as anti-racism programs specific to Indigenous peoples.
According to the B.C. Nurses’ Union, 61% of its members supported the deal, which also includes enhancements to job flexibility and leaves, as well as investments in health and safety. The agreement acknowledges nurses’ commitment and sacrifice while also making significant investments in recruiting more individuals into the field.
The provincial government has pledged to spend $750 million on a new staffing model that will establish a nurse-to-patient ratio to boost workload standards in public health, making British Columbia the first Canadian province to adopt such a measure.
