Overview
- Union members approved a strike mandate by 98.2%, with more than 50,000 nurses casting ballots.
- The BC Nurses’ Union said the mandate is a tool to push progress at the bargaining table and that it plans to return to talks.
- Leaders stressed the vote does not trigger an immediate walkout and said nurses remain prepared to act if talks fail.
- Talks stalled over compensation and benefits, including a dispute over reduced massage therapy coverage cited in an internal email reported by Global News.
- Union president Adriane Gear accused the employer of refusing substantive improvements, while the union points to about 4,500 vacant nursing positions that are increasing workloads.