Nurses in B.C. are moving closer to job action after a new ruling on benefits pushed contract talks to a breaking point.
In an internal email obtained by Global News, the BC Nurses’ Union says arbitrator Vince Ready has ruled that massage therapy coverage will be capped at just over $1,400 in 2027 and reduced again the following year.
The union says it is one of several sticking points and it’s now preparing for a strike vote.
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Their last contract expired in March 2025.
“We’ve been meeting diligently with the employer for the last eight months,” Adriane Gear, president of the BC Nurses’ Union, said.
“Much of the time, it’s been frustrating. Certainly, in terms of priorities, our members have determined that maintaining and ideally improving benefits is the number one priority, but there’s also issues of equity in terms of access to mandate money.”
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The Health Employers Association of B.C. says it is still open to talks.
B.C.’s Health Minister said she is confident that both sides will reach a deal at the table, adding that health care is an essential service and any job action would be limited.
Massage therapy costs less than long term disability caused by chronic stress, ptsd or a musculoskeletal injury – a large number of workers in this profession need this healthcare on a regular basis and chopping their self care to one or less massages per month will not be enough for many women and men in this profession.
Money, money, money, gimme, gimme, gimme
Why, all we know this will fix Canada’s health system. Just ask any of the health unions.
Right???
Out of all the public service unions this is the only one I have any respect for.
That said weren’t they just on strike two years ago? Or for that matter when isn’t a govt union holding us hostage?
As per usual this NDP mess can’t get the job done. Completely inept. Give the nurses what they deserve. This is about “health care” which this government lost the plot on a very long time ago. The idle threat about it being an essential service is not helpful. Be respectful and professional Osborne and acknowledge that nurses work very hard and very long hours, they need covered benefits too to be healthy enough to look after the patients that need help.
The contract expired March 31 2025. You said a month ago. But its been 13 months