British Columbia nurses expand strike to Vancouver Island amid stalled bargaining

On July 12, the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU) broadened its strike to Vancouver Island, establishing picket lines at Victoria General Hospital, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital. Union president Adriane Gear addressed nurses, saying, “No nurse wants to be here on this picket line; we would much rather be in that building behind me, providing care to our patients,” and called on the provincial government to grant a bargaining mandate that would enable meaningful negotiations.

The union reported more than 2,300 complaints of intimidation, coercion and threats from members who refused non‑nursing duties since July 2. It has filed an unfair‑labour‑practice application with the BC Labour Relations Board. Essential and emergency services have been maintained throughout the action.

On July 11 the government appointed Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers as special mediators, a move the BCNU criticised, stating the announcement “does little to build the trust that’s needed to move these negotiations forward.” The union warned that strike actions will continue and may intensify over the weekend, with pickets scheduled at the three hospitals on successive days.

The dispute centres on demands for better wages, staffing levels, protection from workplace violence and broader improvements to the province’s health‑care system.