The B.C. Public Service Agency has reached a tentative two-year agreement with the Union of Psychiatric Nurses (UPN) and British Columbia Nurses' Union (BCNU) under the government's 2010 mandate.

The UPNBC and BCNU represent approximately 700 nurses that work at Riverview Hospital, Forensic Psychiatric Services, Oak Bay Lodge, Broadmead Lodge, and through the ministries of Children and Family Development, Health, and Public Safety and Solicitor General. The unions are expected to vote on this agreement in April.

Government has already announced its intention to control spending on wages during this round of bargaining. To protect jobs and preserve vital services British Columbians depend on, government has no funding for new wage increases as collective agreements are renewed.

There are approximately 306,000 unionized workers in occupations throughout B.C.'s public sector, the great majority of which have agreements that expired between March 31, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010. More than two-thirds of those employees have now renegotiated agreements that were set to expire in 2010, including agreements covering 99 per cent of health-care workers.

Quotes:

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon -

"I want to thank the negotiators, the Union of Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia and the British Columbia Nurses' Union for working together to find mutually beneficial solutions that meet the needs of employees and government in these challenging times."

"We recognize the important and valuable work the public service nurses perform in health, social services, and various ministries."

Learn More:

Updated bargaining information is available at:

http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/psec/bargaining2010/

Contact:

Sarah Harrison

Communications Director

Ministry of Finance

250 356-2821

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect