Tag Archives: BC Nurses Union

Justice, Politics

BC Government and Its Lawyers Head Toward Unionization Showdown

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lawyers working for the B.C. government are threatening to sue it over a new law that would remove their right to choose their own union.

Bill 5 became law on  Thursday after months of fighting between the government and the BC  Government Lawyers Association, which applied last year to be recognized  as an independent union representing about 300 members. 

The legislation lifts a ban on unionization for the lawyers, who advise government on new laws and represent it in civil court.

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Health

Alert Bay residents worried as overnight ER services shut down for two weeks

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A remote B.C. island community is anxious as it faces a two-week overnight closure of its local emergency room due to the ongoing medical staffing crisis across the province. 

Island Health announced the closure of Alert Bay ER in the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. nightly, which started Tuesday and will last until Aug. 16.  

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Health

Primary health care ‘collapsing’ in B.C. rural communities, critics say

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Back-to-back closures of small community emergency rooms on North Vancouver Island over the weekend is another example of the overall erosion of the primary care system in rural communities, the BC Green Party and the BC Nurses’ Union say. 

Due to ongoing staffing shortages, the emergency room at Port Hardy Hospital was temporarily closed from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. That closure took place hard on the heels of another temporary emergency department closure at the neighbouring Port McNeill Hospital from 3 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m Sunday. 

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Health

BC Nurses Union President quits and asks Gov to reconsider October mandatory vaccinations for nurses

By Pamela Haasen, CICK 93.9 Smithers Community Radio, Local Journalism Initiative

As the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues, Intensive Care Unit doctors and nurses are sounding the alarm. They’re saying the health care system in northern B.C. is in trouble.

Continue reading BC Nurses Union President quits and asks Gov to reconsider October mandatory vaccinations for nurses →