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B.C. Nurses’ Union, Health Employers Association reach tentative agreement

BC Nurses' Union has reached an agreement with the province on a new contract, the union said. Getty Images

The union that represents B.C. nurses has agreed to a tentative new contract in what’s being touted as a historic deal.

“The terms of the settlement include record-setting compensation for BC’s nurses,” union staff said in a release.

“Negotiators also reached a groundbreaking commitment from the provincial government to support mandatory nurse-patient ratios.”

The Nurses’ Union Bargaining Association took the position that it would not accept a single concession from health employers during the contract negotiation process and said it’s proud to have delivered on that promise.

The union’s bargaining association said Friday night it had reached a tentative three-year agreement with the province’s Health Employers Association of B.C., that it will be bringing before its members.

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The B.C. Nurses’ Union was the last major public sector union to strike a new deal with the province.

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This follows months of negotiations between the two sides.

A ratification vote will begin on April 20, as the union will be having a meeting with its members first.

The province’s Health Employers Association issued a separate statement saying the contract includes an agreement on unspecified policy-based initiatives as part of its health human resource strategy, which it previously said will optimize the health system, expand training and improve recruitment and retention within the field.

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— with files from Canadian Press

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