Silas: Nurses united behind solving dire staffing shortages, fixing poor working conditions and making sure quality patient care is there for generations to come
November 2, 2022 (VANCOUVER, B.C.) – The British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU) has officially joined the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), Canada’s largest frontline nurses’ organization.
“With poor working conditions driving nurses out of the profession, and staffing shortages plaguing communities across Canada, it is critical nurses come together behind strong pan-Canadian advocacy for proven solutions. Only working in unity can we push governments on solutions to this crisis,” declared CFNU President Linda Silas. “I am so proud to welcome the BCNU, and British Columbia’s frontline nurses, into our family of nurses.”
Today’s announcement follows a unanimous motion from the CFNU’s National Executive Board, and a formal welcome by Silas and other nursing union leaders from across the country, at BCNU’s annual convention.
“For more than four decades, the BCNU has proudly represented more than 48,000 of British Columbia’s frontline nurses. We are delighted to join with our fellow nurses across Canada. Our members have strongly declared their support for this historic step,” said BCNU President Aman Grewal. “Staffing shortages are hurting patient care and crippling our health care system. Nurses here in B.C., and across the country, are counting on us to stand united and use our collective strength to demand action to solve this crisis.”
With the addition of the BCNU, the CFNU is the national voice for nine provincial unions and Canada’s nursing students, representing nurses working in all health care settings across the country.
“Nurses are in crisis. Our health care system is in crisis. Over the past months, we have met with the premiers, the Prime Minister and the federal Minister of Health. Next week, we will bring solutions from frontline nurses to the meeting of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers,” concluded Silas. “Only working in partnership can we push all levels of government to take action to better protect nurses. Only together can we make sure quality patient care is there for generations of Canadians to come.”
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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing Canada’s frontline nurses in every sector of health care – from home care, LTC, community and acute care, including nursing students – and advocating on key health priorities and federal engagement in the future of public health care.
For more information, please contact:
Adella Khan, media@nursesunions.ca, 613-807-2942