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New Brunswick
In October, NBNU held their AGM. Joined by nurses from unions across the country and many Liberal MLAs, NBNU rallied in front of legislature, calling on government to address the nursing shortage.
In their latest campaign, Still Calling, NBNU celebrates the nurses working in NB. Members told their own unique stories about why they became a nurse, while New Brunswickers were encouraged to celebrate nurses who have touched their lives.
While the province has recently reported hundreds of new nurses entering the system, the Union does not want the public to be misled by these optimistic reports. Fewer nurses are actually working in their healthcare system and many are on a short contract.
Prince Edward Island
The PEINU was proud to host the CFNU’s Biennial Convention this June. Almost 1200 nurses, including NSNU members, were in attendance. Their “Die-in” rally made national news.
Recently, government announced tuition subsidies for LPN students and paramedicine students. Additionally, a partnership was renewed with Holland College, adding 32 seats to their LPN program.
Like the situation in New Brunswick, Health PEI has been reporting hundreds of new hires including NPs, RNs and LPNs. Barbara Brookins, president of PEINU said the number of new hirings do not reflect the actual number of nurses working in the field. Brookins reports that the Union’s membership numbers have actually dropped in the same time period, and the number of nurses working casually has increased.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Spending on travel nurses is costing the NL government millions upon millions. While they typically filled gaps in remote locations like Labrador, travel nurses are now employed in every corner of the province.
Last spring, the Registered Nurses’ Union of NL released their latest campaign, #HungOutToDryNL, in response to the worsening conditions of the healthcare crisis – without retention efforts, the system will not survive. RNUNL encourages solidarity by wearing a clothespin.
October saw the opening of MUN’s Faculty of Nursing satellite site in Grand Falls-Windsor. The Associate Dean with MUN’s Faculty of Nursing hopes that training nurses closer to home will help with the expenses of post-secondary education and keep nurses in the community.
In late summer, RNUNL signed a new 4-year CA that will see nurses receive a 2% wage increase each year from 2022-2026. Health Minister Tom Osborne called the agreement a step towards stabilizing health care in NL.
Quebec
Quebec’s government announced financial bonuses of up to $18k for nurses willing to work full-time or return to work. However, the plan received criticism for failing to address working conditions and forced overtime. Additionally, the government announced a plan to hire 3000 administrative workers to assist nurses with any bureaucratic duties, allowing them to focus on caring for patients.
The FIQ rejected the government’s offer of a salary increase of 10.3% over five years and a one-time payment of $1000. By early November, about 80,000 nurses and respiratory therapists and other healthcare classifications walked off the job, launching a two-day strike to demand better working conditions, with more strike action to come.
Ontario
As they celebrate their 50th Anniversary, ONA has launched a new brand identity. The renewed brand comes as ONA fights back like never before against a provincial government that is underfunding public heathcare while expanding privatization.
ONA is pleased with a recent arbitration decision for significant wage increases to hospital-sector RNs and other healthcare professionals. ONA President, Erin Ariss, considers this decision a first step in improving staffing and patient care.
Conciliation for Home and Community Care Support Services is set for mid-November, seeking competitive wage increases, in-line with what was attained in hospitals. If an agreement is not reached, ONA will look toward province-wide mobilizing and engaging in strike planning and other next steps.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Nurses Union’s 2021 campaign, The Frontline is Not Okay, grew into a movement where families could share stories of how the pandemic affected their lives. It is still popular to this day, with nurses sharing their stories on The Courage Channel.
Ahead of the October 3rd election, the MNU endorsed the provincial NDP’s healthcare plan that intends to bring back nurses who have left their jobs, simplify the process for international nurses and expand retention incentives.
Healthcare employees will head to a crowded bargaining table next year, as contracts between Shared Health and several unions are set to expire simultaneously. They will introduce a pattern bargaining system aimed at improving working conditions, recruitment and retention.
Saskatchewan
In late October, SUN coordinated a rally in front of the Legislative Building. Busloads of RNs, nursing students and supporters turned up, hoping to bring attention to the current condition of the province’s healthcare system.
An agreement was reached with the federal government in March, to send $61 million in funding to Saskatchewan’s health-care system. The goal is to accelerate or enhance new measures aiming to improve primary health care, surgeries and mental health services. SUN President, Tracy Zambory, says more money must be spent on dealing with the province’s nursing shortage.
Overcrowded hospitals are evidence of Saskatchewan’s failing healthcare system. Reports show a Saskatoon hospital was overcapacity for weeks before the Fire Department found them to be in violation of fire code requirements. According to SUN, their seasoned nurses have never seen it so bad.
Alberta
The Alberta government’s plan to restructure the healthcare system has been met with opposition from unions and staff. UNA President, Heather Smith, is concerned an overhaul of the province’s healthcare system will spark chaos at a time when hospitals are already under intense strain; driving away they healthcare workers they currently have and jeopardizing patient care.
In early November, UNA shared their support for a petition calling for presumptive coverage for traumatic psychological injuries. This coverage would mean that nurses would not have to wait or be denied access to workers’ compensation benefits after traumatic events on the job.
As their current contract will expire in 2024, UNA has emphasized the importance of member input during their upcoming negotiations.
British Columbia
Adriane Gear, a Victoria-based RN who has been practicing since 1993, has been elected as the new leader of the BC Nurses’ Union.
Earlier this year, a historic commitment was made to bring minimum nurse-patient ratios to healthcare settings in BC. By late October, senior leaders of the BCNU met with members of all political parties, emphasizing the importance of these minimum ratios. BCNU President Gear believes ratios will bring nurses back to the profession, bring relief to nurses in the system and improve patient care across the province.
