Nurses union, B.C. employer reach tentative agreement; ratification set for June

VICTORIA — A tentative contract agreement has been reached between the union representing about 60,000 nurses in British Columbia and their provincial employer.

The deal comes after members of the BC Nurses’ Union’s voted this month more than 98 per cent in favour of strike action if necessary more than a year after their last agreement expired. 

The union says in a news release that the deal includes a general wage increase of 12 per cent over four years, improvements to benefits, workplace safety measures and provisions for better work conditions.   

The release says it has also negotiated an agreement with the Ministry of Health, securing “significant additional funding” toward the implementation of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios across the province.