Nurse strike in British Columbia spreads to Vancouver Island

The British Columbia Nurses' Union (BCNU) moved their actions to Vancouver Island on 12 July following a breakdown in collective agreement negotiations with health employers. Union members formed a picket line in front of Victoria General Hospital early Sunday morning; additional actions are also planned at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital.

Union president Adriane Gear stated that the action was escalated following the collapse of negotiations, calling on the provincial government to give health employers a meaningful mandate to bargain. Gear argued that nurses came to the table in good faith and maintained essential services to protect patient safety, emphasizing that the system is not providing them with the necessary investment and support.

In parallel, the union announced that since 2 July, they have received more than 2,000 claims of threats and pressure from their members. The union filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the British Columbia Labour Relations Board regarding these allegations directed at staff who refuse to perform non-nursing duties. It was reported that emergency and hospital services continued without disruption during the strike.