Nurses
About the Nurses collective agreement
The Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA) Provincial Collective Agreement covers approximately 51,575 registered, psychiatric and licensed practical nurses in BC. The majority of the nurses are represented by the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU). Nurses are also represented by the Health Sciences Association (HSA), the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) and the British Columbia Provincial Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU).
Nurses work predominantly in hospitals, but also in long-term care, community and public health, home support and mental health throughout the province. Approximately 87 per cent of nurses are employed by the province’s six health authorities and 13 per cent work for affiliate organizations including Providence Health Care.
In 2013, the Government of BC passed legislation – the Health Authorities Amendment Act – transferring all licensed practical nurses (LPNs) from the Facilities and Community bargaining associations into the NBA.
Status
HEABC member employers and Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) nurses have ratified a new, three-year collective agreement for the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025. The agreement was reached under the Province’s Shared Recovery Mandate. Negotiations commenced for a new collective agreement on December 8, 2022 and the parties reached a tentative agreement on March 31, 2023. Negotiations under the Shared Recovery Mandate support government’s key priorities to improve public services and the health care system, while supporting the province’s continued economic recovery for all.