As job action escalates for nurses across the province, picketers took to the streets of Victoria on Sunday. Now, they are expanding that strike to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
The strike, which began July 2, has seen picket lines established at Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, and the Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre in Surrey over the past week.
BC Nurses’ Union president Adriane Gear says the escalation comes amid a surge in complaints now exceeding 2,300, alleging health employers have attempted to intimidate union members and interfere with their legal right to participate in job action.
“These are formal complaints with allegations of bullying, harassment, intimidation, or just not providing any support for non-nursing duties,” Gear said.
“That’s very concerning, and we have filed unfair labour practice applications at the labour board.”
The B.C. government has appointed Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers to help the two sides reach an agreement, but Gear says no meetings had taken place as of Sunday.
More job action is planned across Vancouver Island in the coming week.
“Island Health, there’s certainly been some behaviours here that I’ve heard of, very concerning behaviours,” she said.
“That certainly is factored into the decision when we decide where we’re going to go.”
In a statement, Island Health says nurses are valued members of our healthcare system and that it respects workers’ right to bargain collectively during job action. The health authority has plans in place to maintain essential service levels at sites where and when picketing occurs and to help people continue to access the care they need.
Island Health also urges people not to delay seeking medical care because of the labour dispute.
Pickets are up at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Monday. On Tuesday, they will be back at the Royal Jubilee in Victoria, Gear says.
