The employer of thousands of British Columbia’s nurses says both sides are returning to the bargaining table after a vote for a strike mandate won “powerful” support.
The Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) said in a statement the parties would resume negotiations Tuesday.
“HEABC believes that negotiations are best kept to the bargaining table where the parties can work together on solutions that are mutually beneficial and support the government’s and employers’ key priorities,” HEABC said in a statement to Global News.
A return to the table comes hours after 98.2 per cent of more than 50,000 nurses voted in favour of the mandate, the BC Nurses Union said.
The union said it would use the mandate to push for progress at the bargaining table for a new collective agreement, calling it “powerful and historic.”
“This vote is a defining moment,” union president Adriane Gear said. “Nurses across British Columbia are demanding that respect, safety and fair contract they deserve.”
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The vote took place between May 8 and 11 and came a few weeks after the union reached an impasse in April with the Health Employers Association of BC.
An internal email obtained last month by Global News showed the BC Nurses Union saying arbitrator Vince Ready had ruled that massage therapy coverage would be capped at just over $1,400 in 2027 and reduced again the following year.
The union said it is one of several sticking points.
Their last contract expired in March 2025 and the union and the nurses’ employer have been in contract talks since October 2025.
“Nurses need a contract that respects the critical role they play in keeping this health-care system running,” Gear said in a statement.
In its statement, HEABC said it respects the right of unions to consult with their members, including taking a strike vote.
“The parties will resume negotiations starting today to address the issues that both parties believe are important,” HEABC said.
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the government respects the right of workers to bargain, including conducting a strike vote. She acknowledged it’s a step in the bargaining process, but doesn’t mean job action will occur. She stressed the hope is a deal will be found at the bargaining table.
“In the event of any job action, essential services plans are in place to help ensure the continued delivery of services and essential care for people,” Osborne wrote in a statement.
Global News has reached out to the Health Employers Association of BC for comment.
To answer Bob’s question, and I can’t speak for all unions, but teacher’s last strike was 2014, or 12 years ago. Fortunately, the supreme court agreed with us and laughed at the BC government from the stand taking absolutely no time rendering the verdict that the government was in the wrong. I get a kick out of the jealousy of the non-unionized workers. Bet any money if they were offered a union, they’d jump ship immediately.
I pay taxes to cover health care costs. I do not give the provincial government permission to argue about petty brnefit increases. They think I’m okay with the wage increases, which I am, but I don’t see the benefit to delaying our care for minor stuff.
Maybe they need to switch jobs and work for town hall, no strikes, high pay, bouses galore, big pensions
Blah Blah JV I see you didn’t even try to address the question. Figures.
Oh that’s right you are movie set gripper. Basically a union guy who stands around all day waiting to be told to adjust light or push a camera down a track.The stop sign holding road workers of the movie industry. No IQ above 70 required to be union gripper . 😜 😂 😝
Bob B – Cool thanks for the meaningless comment Bob. When isn’t a white nationalist goof like you not complaining about the government?
While these workers deserve thier wage more than any other govt workers, when isn’t a govt worker on strike?
global bc has been poor journalism for decades, each story is vague in detail and persistently stating the same stories repeatedly.
These are the same people that voted to give free drugs to all that asked. Now they’re wondering why they can’t get a raise?
“One of several sticking points”- care to mention what those points were??
This is bad journalism.