I am a Registered Nurse.

As part of BC Nurses' new collective bargaining agreement, front line nurses were to begin receiving an additional $3-$5/hr whenever we are taking care of more patients than has been deemed safe and appropriate (what we call 'working short'). This was due to begin April 1, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the development of the tools to determine when we are working short have not been fully developed and deployed.

BC Health Authorities have invested significant time and resources implementing this provision of our contract. However, recently they have rightly prioritized pandemic preparations, and have therefore been unable to honour this part of our agreement.

As a result of this breach of contract, our union (BCNU) has negotiated a $3 to $5/hr increase for ALL hours worked by front line nurses for the month of April, and possibly longer. To be clear: not just hours when we are 'working short', as our contract intended, but every hour worked in April. 

I support our Health Authorities spending their time and resources preparing for this growing pandemic, and feel it is unfair that our union (BCNU) has decided to enforce this portion of our agreement.

During this time when so many have lost their jobs, and many are struggling to pay their bills, rent, and mortgages, I believe it is unfair and morally problematic for us to accept this wage premium. So many in our communities have had to make sacrifices in this difficult time. I am not asking nurses to take a pay cut, but to pledge to not accept this wage increase.

I propose:

1. The BCNU explains to the public why it felt the need to enforce this portion of our new agreement and provide an estimate of what this will cost BC Health Authorities over the month of April.

2. The BCNU agree to trust Health Authorities to pay this premium only in cases when it is appropriate. For example: we see a large influx of patients due to COVID-19, and nurses must care for greater numbers of patients. (As of April 3, BC hospitals are operating at 59% capacity; we normally operate above 100%)

3. My fellow nurses sign this petition, showing our communities that we will not take advantage of this pandemic for our financial gain.*

4. If this premium must be paid to us, I propose we pledge to donate this income to support those who are suffering the most from this pandemic.*

5. I invite non-nurses to weigh in on this petition. You are the ones making the financial sacrifices, and your taxes will be funding this wage premium.

Note to my fellow nurses:
We hold a very privileged position in society, never more so than now. We are consistently viewed as one of the most trusted professions. Let's earn that trust. Very few of us are worried about losing our jobs during this pandemic. But I am sure all of us know family and friends who have lost theirs. These are the people cheering us every night at 7pm. Let's show them that we are worthy of that admiration.

*Disclosure: My partner is also a Registered Nurse, and I have no dependants. I am aware that this puts me in a position where I am unlikely to suffer from this action. I am also aware 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 honouring your commitments to support and provide for your families.