Overview
- Members of the BC Nurses’ Union voted 67% to reject the tentative agreement reached May 22, the union announced Friday.
- The deal on the table had reportedly offered a 12% wage increase phased over four years plus improvements to coverage, workplace safety and violence prevention.
- Union leaders said the vote reflects growing frustration with staffing shortages, heavier patient loads, crowded emergency departments and long waits for care.
- The union’s bargaining committee will consult members in the coming days to decide next steps and has not announced strike action while the Health Employers Association of BC says it is ready to resume negotiations.
- The rejection follows a near‑unanimous strike mandate in May — 98.2% support from about 50,850 voters — a show of leverage that raises the political stakes and could affect staffing and patient wait times if talks stall.