Latest News

Labour Board moves quickly to set dates for mail-in vote for LPNs to join
BC Nurses' Union

Board will mail ballots to LPNs on May 28, must receive returned ballots by June 25

Labour Board orders vote so LPNs can cast ballots to join the BC Nurses' Union

A case management meeting which will iron out vote details will be held in two weeks

BCNU corrects false information in HEU May 4 bulletin

On Friday, May 4, 2012 HEU published a bulletin containing false information about a discussion that occurred between an employee of the BC Labour Relations Board and a private BC citizen.

Labour board will soon make decision about LPNs' democratic rights
to join nurses' union

HEU, BCGEU insist LPNs are support workers, ask the Board to deny LPNs' right to vote.

Update on Labour Board proceedings

Since the March 5 case management conference at the BC Labour Relations Board, several developments are helping to move LPNs closer to voting for their union of choice.

Following confirmation of BCNU LPN majorities, the Labour Board asks employers
for more information

When LPN voter lists are correct, the Board will meet to discuss dates and process for LPN vote.

Labour Board announces a majority of LPNs at six health employers
signed up with BCNU

LPNs will be voting soon to join the BC Nurses' Union and unite the nursing profession.

Labour Board will release LPN majority information on or before March 3, 2012

Board has scheduled a case management meeting for March 5 to plan next steps.

Labour Board offers to release preliminary report on whether a majority of LPNs signed up with BCNU

The Board has offered to release findings from the preliminary report – unless the employer or one of the unions involved in the case objects to the release of that information.

Update: Board finishes card count, BC Fed letter

Labour Board will make announcement soon about LPNs voting to join BCNU.

Legal anomaly prompts BCNU to withdraw application at PHSA

The Labour Board is continuing to verify LPN majorities at five health authorities and Providence.

LPN news summary

Labour board will soon start verifying that LPN majority signed up with BCNU.

HEU fails to acknowledge that LPNs are professional nurses

Instead, HEU tells the Labour Board that LPNs are only support staff and should not have the right to vote for the union they may want.

Labour board holds first meeting on BCNU's application to represent
Licensed Practical Nurses

The BC Labour Relations Board held an initial case management meeting on BCNU's application to represent LPNs on Thursday, December 8, 2011.

BCNU applies to represent Licensed Practical Nurses at BC's six health authorities and Providence Health Care

The application capped a successful three-month campaign where LPNs signed up a majority of their peers to BCNU. It covers about 7,000 LPNs at more than 150 healthcare facilities across British Columbia.

Majority of LPNs at VIHA sign-up with BCNU

BCNU encourages LPNs across the province to keep signing BCNU memberships and produce a decisive provincial majority.

Majority of LPNs at Interior Health facilities sign-up with BCNU

BCNU encourages LPNs across the province to keep signing BCNU memberships and produce a decisive provincial majority.

HEU makes false statement about BCNU's position on LPNs doing Fraser Health immunizations

In a November 24 bulletin, HEU says "LPNs who are trained in immunization should not be prevented from providing this health service just because BCNU's leaders think otherwise."

Majority of LPNs at Fraser Health facilities sign-up with BCNU

BCNU encourages LPNs across the province to keep signing BCNU memberships and produce a decisive provincial majority.

Majority of LPNs at Providence and PHSA sign-up with BCNU

BCNU encourages LPNs across the province to keep signing BCNU memberships and produce a decisive provincial majority.

Majority of LPNs at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority sign-up with BCNU

BCNU encourages LPNs across the province to keep signing BCNU memberships and produce a decisive provincial majority.

New video to LPNs from BCNU president Debra McPherson

BCNU president Debra McPherson has just released a short video reaffirming BCNU’s commitment to improve contracts and professional supports for LPNs.

Bargaining demands from HEU Locals could halt LPNs' wage progress and cancel new LPN schedule

Two of the bargaining demands submitted by HEU Locals will harm LPNs if they are accepted at the provincial bargaining convention.

LPNs, build your professional practice with other nursing professionals

BCNU will advance LPNs' professional development through innovative programs, education funding and strong workplace support.

BCNU corrects false information circulated by HEU

HEU video cuts out the part showing BCNU president Debra McPherson referring to ambulance attendants caring for diabetics after minimal training, not to LPNs.

HEU confirms LPN wages/benefits will be tied to unlicensed support workers

Their plan to lump LPNs into a general wage increase will suppress LPN wages and confirms LPNs are not independent at HEU.

LPNs can protect themselves from future HEU contract rollbacks by joining
the BC Nurses' Union

As BCNU members, LPNs will finally be independent of HEU's support workers' bargaining unit – the Facilities Bargaining Association, where LPNs are overshadowed by more than 30,000 mostly unlicensed workers.

LPNs are joining BCNU in large numbers to unify the nursing profession

Sign-ups in September 2011 were 67% greater than September 2009.

All LPNs covered by the Facilities Bargaining Association collective agreement can sign BCNU membership applications

LPN applications signed in September 2011 far exceed the numbers in September 2009.

Government sets tough environment for contract talks

LPNs will secure stronger contracts by negotiating with other nurses. The BC government's recent throne speech sets a tough environment for public-sector bargaining.

Activities that assist LPNs to join BCNU are legally permitted in the workplace and on health facility property open to the public

Certain activities that assist LPNs to sign BCNU membership applications are legally permitted in the workplace and on the public sections of health facility property.

Want better wages? Tired of competing with other HEU employee groups to get a raise or avoid a rollback?

In Manitoba, LPNs have some of the best wages in the country because they negotiate together with RNs as members of the Manitoba Nurses’ Union.

HEU produces incorrect information about changes to LPN regulations, scope of practice

College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC expresses concern that incorrect information is misleading LPNs.

BCNU responds to LPNs’ desire to join a nurses’ union, launches new website

LPNs working at hospitals, in the community and at long term care homes can start signing BC Nurses’ Union memberships in September 2011.