British Columbia nurses dispute escalates as government appoints special mediators

Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside appointed veteran mediator Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers as special mediators for ten days to help settle the dispute between the British Columbia Nurses’ Union and the Health Employers Association of B.C. The union, led by President Adriane Gear, began job action on July 2 after issuing a 72‑hour strike notice, expanding picket lines to hospitals in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Nanaimo and other locations.

Negotiations have reached a second “impasse” after an earlier impasse in April. The union says more than 2,300 intimidation reports have been filed and that 98.2 % of its roughly 50,000 members voted in favour of job action, while 67 % rejected a tentative agreement. Premier David Eby said the goal is “to get the nurses back to work as soon as possible,” and affirmed that essential health services will continue during the dispute. The mediators will seek a settlement or, if needed, advise the minister on recommendations.