HSA insistent on addressing RPN concerns at nurses' bargaining

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014

With the Union of Psychiatric Nurses now merging with the BC Nurses' Union, HSA is now the only union advocating for RPN issues at talks dominated by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

While the majority of HSA members' contracts have been negotiated and ratified, the contract for HSA's RPN members is still under negotiations at the Nurses' Bargaining Association, led by BCNU.

In September, the Union of Psychiatric Nurses announced they intend to merge into BCNU, a development which has a significant impact on the focus of negotiations.

"HSA is now the only independent voice advocating for RPNs at the nurses' bargaining table," said HSA President Val Avery. "It's a table dominated by RNs and LPNs, and we are the only ones fighting to keep issues important to RPNs from being pushed aside."

"Violence prevention and workplace safety are paramount to RPNs, and we don't intend to stay quiet about these issues."

HSA is represented at the table by Larry Bryan, an RPN at Haro Park Centre and a member of the Provincial Occupational Health, Safety and Violence Prevention Committee, and a member of the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum Working Group.

Also representing RPNs is experienced negotiator Randy Noonan, a senior labour relations officer at HSA.