The bargaining agreement for nurses in B.C. expired last year without a new deal in place, and a dispute over massage benefits could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back before job action takes place.
According to a post on Facebook from the BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU), which represents over 55,000 nurses, massage therapy benefits for workers have been capped after a ruling from Arbitrator Vince Ready.
The post adds that there would be no immediate changes before a new plan model is implemented on Jan. 1, 2027.
“This is a step backward for nurses who rely on these supports to stay healthy on the job,” the union said in the Facebook post.
The Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) committee has declared an impasse in negotiations with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC). Outside of better benefits, nurses are also asking for improved nurse-to-patient ratios, increased recruitment and better workplace safety measures.
“With the NBA provincial bargaining committee declaring an impasse after limited movement at the table, a strike vote is likely, and members need to be ready to come together, vote yes, and be ready to fight for the care we provide and the conditions we deserve,” it adds.
What could job action look like?
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We spoke to BCNU President Adriane Gear about where talks are at and what job action could look like if it got to that point. We also spoke a little bit about the previous job agreement from 2019, which has some connections to the current dispute over massage benefits.
In 2019, the NBA, at that time, agreed to a cap on massage benefits.
“Why they agreed to it? I’m not sure,” Gear said.
It never got implemented. But the current employer wants it implemented now, even though so much has changed since 2019, as Gear points out.
“We don’t have enough nurses. There’s an increase in violence. An increase in injury rates, both physical and psychological.”
We spoke to an ER doctor last year who blew the whistle on conditions at a hospital in B.C., who also shared similar sentiments about witnessing an increase in violence and unsafe conditions.
Gear said the union said fair enough, but asked to bargain the issue at the table. The employer refused. Gear acknowledged the employer’s concerns, due to it being somewhat of an unfunded liability, but added that it’s also keeping nurses at the bedside. Gear also said that the employer has a bunch of preconditions around benefits that the union has to agree to before they’ll even have a discussion.
“And that’s not bargaining in good faith, in our view,” Gear said.
So what happens if there is a strike vote?
Well, for starters, B.C. nurses are considered an essential service, and so if it got to the point of job action, the impact, while limited, could still cause a “significant disruption” if the union decided to go to essential service levels, according to Gear, who said it would also impact patients if it got to that point.
“That’s the last thing we want to do,” she said.
It could be that B.C. nurses work to rule, which means just arriving on time, taking breaks, and leaving on time.
“That’s not the reality right now. For many nurses, you’re in a situation where you can’t leave work, you don’t get breaks, and it’s not a one-off,” Gear said.
The union could also ban non-nursing duties. As Gear points out, there’s a lot that nurses do that doesn’t require a professional nursing degree. Those things would be considered non-nursing duties. Things like processing doctors’ orders, answering phones, and handing out meal trays.
The message from Gear was pretty simple.
“Our hope is that the employer will just treat us with some respect, and so we remain open to the possibility of being able to resume discussions. But, at this point, unless something is going to change, then we are in an impasse, and we are preparing for a strike vote.”
How B.C. has been battling the shortage of nurses
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B.C. Premier David Eby recently revealed that B.C. has recruited over 400 U.S. healthcare professionals in a push to address its systemic issues, including a shortage of workers.
Among those who were recruited were 89 doctors, 260 nurses and 42 nurse practitioners.
B.C. launched these recruitment efforts in March of last year and started the marketing campaign in June 2025, largely targeting Washington, Oregon, and select cities in California.
We asked Gear what she thought of the work of the current leadership in B.C., along with Health Minister Jodie Osborne.
“Frankly, what we’re dealing with right now is the cuts and lack of investments from 20 years ago,” Gear responded.
“Do I think this government could do more? 100 per cent. Do they need to be held accountable? 100 per cent.”
Despite this being a problem that is decades in the making, she does think there are missed opportunities current leaders could be addressing. She wonders what the strategy is for emergency rooms in the province, as some have had to close due to staffing shortages.
We reached out to HEABC for comment on the situation.
“HEABC respects the right of unions to pause negotiations and consult with their members. This can be a normal part of the collective bargaining process,” it said in response.
“HEABC and the BCNU have engaged in several recent negotiation sessions, and working on behalf of the Employer Bargaining Committee, HEABC continues to be available to meet with the union at the bargaining table to address the issues that both parties believe are important.”
HEABC also said that it believes that negotiations are “best kept to the bargaining table” so parties can work together on solutions that are mutually beneficial, while also supporting the government’s key priorities.
What the public is saying
Many have chimed in on the recent union post, sharing stories about how crucial massage benefits are.
“As a retired nurse, I can honestly say my 30 years of nursing did my body in. I started when we were the lifts, the meal deliverers, and sometimes part of the cleaning crew,” someone said, adding that massage therapy, or any therapy that provides wellness, should be provided.
Another union supported said that “most” nurses have suffered an injury at some point, and that massage and physio services help them keep going and prevent sick time.
It’s an important point to make as the province is already battling systemic issues that have caused a temporary loss of emergency care at many B.C. hospitals.
“As an LPN turned RMT, i can solemnly say that massage therapy is essential when experiencing work related pain and injury,” another comment said.
With files from Hanna Hett