LPNs in BCGEU: Stronger together

Important update:

Government review of Licensed Practical Nurse regulation

BCGEU is proud to represent Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in our health care membership. LPNs join other nurses, health science professionals, care aides, community health workers, support service workers, and others who work in facilities, community health, and in government service who belong to the BCGEU. We are BC's third largest health care union. LPNs have a strong voice in our union, and are in positions of leadership in their locals and components.

We are proud to champion the role of LPNs in BC's health care system and have a track record of advocating for LPNs increased scope of practice.

Yet since 2009, the BC Nurses' Union has been raiding LPNs from our union and other health care unions, claiming that LPNs will be better off in their union.

Right now, we should be focusing on anticipated changes to the LPN profession. If implemented these changes would provide LPNs with more autonomy and open up new opportunities for professional growth.

Sadly, instead of focusing on growth, we're having to contend with another costly and divisive raid, which we believe undermines the relationship between LPNs and RNs, and threatens the independence of LPNs.

Read on to learn more about what BCGEU is doing for LPNs, and how you can stop the BCNU raid.

BCGEU LPNs respond to
BCNU raid

(posted May 2012)

Watch the video

Questions and Answers

(pdf)

BCGEU: A strong independent voice for LPNs

(pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions

(pdf)

Attachment	Size
Screen shot 2012-12-03 at 9.55.31 AM.png	363.96 KB
New_LPN_Flyer_121109_V2.pdf	1.92 MB
Screen shot 2012-12-03 at 9.59.07 AM.png	657.32 KB
LPN_FAQ_121109.pdf	1.03 MB

B.C. Liberals health bill passes: an affront to workers’ rights

20 Mar '13

The B.C. Liberals have passed legislation that fundamentally changes the way workers in the health sector are represented.

The bill passed during the dying days of the legislative session and was introduced without consultation with workers and their unions, including the BCGEU. Read more »

BCGEU supports independence and full utilization for LPNs

10 Jan '13

BCGEU has submitted comments in response to the Ministry of Health's proposed changes to the regulation that governs the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) profession. Read more »

Human Rights Day 2012 Statement

10 Dec '12

Human Rights Day 2012

By; Lorene Oikawa
BCGEU Vice President and co-chair of the Equity + Human Rights Committee

Human Rights Day is an opportunity to celebrate achievements to ensure inclusivity for all – and we must speak up and take action not only on this day, December 10, but every day of the year. Read more »

Government review of Licensed Practical Nurse regulation

28 Nov '12

Right now, you have a chance to have input on what kind of activities you will be able to perform as an LPN.

The Ministry of Health has posted the proposed new Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation, and is inviting comments before the Regulation is finalized and becomes law. Read more »

LPN vote results announced today

5 Oct '12

Today the Labour Relations Board (LRB) announced the outcome of the votes cast by LPNs employed directly in the five regional health authorities and Providence Health Care, on whether to stay with their union or to join the BCNU. Read more »

BCGEU reviewing LRB decision on raid of LPN’s in the facilities subsector

16 Jun '12

The BCGEU is considering an appeal of Thursday’s LRB refusal to reconsider the raid of Licensed Practical Nurses already represented by the BCGEU and the HEU.

The LRB panel decision was not unanimous and the BCGEU believes there may be grounds for review. Read more »

LPNs – It’s time to vote

28 May '12

The B.C. Labour Relations Board finalized the details of a vote among LPNs to determine union representation.
LPNs will be asked if they want to retain their membership in BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) -- or become members of the BCNU. Read more »

May 13 is LPN Day

11 May '12

Licensed Practical Nurses play a fundamental role in the delivery of quality health care in B.C. Read more »

Some BCGEU LPNs to vote on union representation

9 May '12

On May 9, the Labour Relations Board issued its long-awaited report on the BCNU applications to represent a portion of LPNs in BC. Read more »

LPN raid update - no vote ordered yet

7 Mar '12

The BCGEU met with the other parties at the Labour Board's Case Management meeting on Monday March 5 morning to discuss the BCNU's LPN raid applications. The raid applications affect LPNs working at health authority sites in the facilities subsector in all health authorities.

At the meeting, it became clear that there are still a few outstanding problems with the voters list. Many LPNs who are eligible to vote were not included on the voters list and the Industrial Relations Officer from the Labour Relations Board will be working diligently over the next few weeks to fix this.

Once the voters list has been clarified the Labour Board may then order a mail-in ballot vote for all LPNs in the Facilities agreement. At this point in time, no vote has been ordered. Read more »