I am registered Nurse.As part of the new BC Nurses Collective Agreement, front-line nurses should receive $3 to $5 more per hour if we care for more patients than was deemed safe and appropriate (what we call “working in the short term”). This is expected to begin on April 1, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the development of tools to determine when we work briefly has not yet been fully developed and deployed. Bc Health Authorities has invested a significant amount of time and resources in implementing this provision of our contract. Recently, however, they have rightly prioritized pandemic preparedness and have therefore not been able to comply with this part of our agreement. As a result of this breach of contract, our union (UNCO) negotiated an increase from $3 to $5 per hour for ALL hours worked by front-line nurses for the month of April and possibly longer. To be clear: not just hours where we “work briefly,” as our contract called for, but every hour that was worked in April. I support our health authorities, who are dedicating their time and resources to preparing for this growing pandemic, and I think it is unfair that our union (UNCO) has decided to implement this part of our agreement. At a time when so many people have lost their jobs and many are struggling to pay their bills, rent and mortgages, I think it is unfair and morally problematic that we accept this wage premium. So many members of our communities have had to make sacrifices during this difficult time.
I am not asking nurses to accept a pay cut, but to promise not to accept that pay increase. I suggest:1. The UNCO explains to the public why it has deemed it necessary to implement this part of our new agreement and to provide an estimate of what it will cost British Columbia health authorities in April. 2. The UNJSB undertakes to trust the health authorities to pay this premium only in cases where it is appropriate. For example: We are seeing a significant influx of patients due to COVID-19, and nurses are needing to care for more patients. (As of April 3, B.C. hospitals are operating at 59% capacity; we typically operate over 100%) 3. My sisters sign this petition, which shows our communities that we will not take advantage of this pandemic for our financial gain.*4.
If this premium is to be paid to us, I suggest that we commit to donating this income to support those who are suffering the most from this pandemic.* 5. I invite non-nurses to comment on this petition. It is you who make the financial sacrifices, and your taxes will finance this wage premium. Note to my nursing colleagues: We have a very privileged position in society, never more than today. We are still considered one of the most reliable professions. Let us earn that trust. Very few of us are worried about losing our jobs during this pandemic. But I`m sure we all know the family and friends who lost theirs.
These are the people who encourage us every night at 7 p.m. Let us show them that we are worthy of this admiration. * Disclosure: My partner is also a registered nurse and I have no dependents. I am aware that this puts me in a position where I will probably not suffer from this action. I also know that not all my colleagues are in this position. Please make the financial decision that is right for you and your family. You can support the principles of this petition while fulfilling your obligations to support and care for your families. .
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