Jim Gould

April 8, 2024 Castlegar
BCNU event at Castlegar BC with Jim Gould, CEO speaking:
2:44 Minister of Health contract now instead of HEABC for payment of hundreds of millions.
3:13 BCNU has a seat at the Executive Steering Committee level….making decisions with government and impacting how government is making decisions.
3:45 First time in the world, there will be ratios in long term care and community
5:40 BCNU will be part of a Health Benefit Trust. Instead of increased benefits, $60 million from Ministry of Health for support fund. Nurse support fund has been held up. $6 million designated for hardship fund. Remaining funds are for mental health supports. BCNU created an umbrella insurance policy above Pacific Blue Cross but BCNU needs access to the data which HEABC won’t release, so funds have not been released to nurses. (BCNU is not a health insurer so why are the acting in that role?)
10:00 One of our regrets is we didn’t have a strike. It’s clear to me the membership needed to strike. The Bargaining Committee decided to not recommend job action because the deal was as sweet as the deal was.
Please watch the following link for what Jim Gould really said….
*Link to Jim Gould telling nurses to vote yes, WARNING: Strong Language (has been dubbed)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bcnursesfightmandates/permalink/774260537598670/

13:00 We put up recordings of meetings on line and had to remove them because they were misused.
14:00 LPN’s are now contributing to 1% fund.
15:30 We are holding health authorities accountable in terms of the contract.
16:00 Takes years to come up with ratios. Can’t get accurate number of hospital beds from health authorities. It’s difficult to get health authorities to ensure ratios are followed. We won’t be able to rely on Health authorities’ information. We’ll be asking members for information (but still haven’t collected any yet).
20:50 I can’t think of a time when our direction was not followed
28:00 Wants solidarity. Don’t divide. We’re trying to benefit our members. Don’t be negative
32P00 Last bargaining had to get vote approved for collective agreement or would not have received the $100 million. Had to rush ratification to get the money and members were not properly informed but we didn’t want to lose that money.
37:00 Build the strongest nurses union in the world
38:38 Do we have to be more militant against the health employers? Are we prepared to shut downtown Vancouver down??? They need to see we are strong minded! (Rah rah).
42:00 We need to remember what a union is. To give people life so that people won’t be abused. You are being beaten psychologically. Is the union relevant?
46:00 What are we not doing well? We can be different
57:00 He’s only going to stay in this job as long as its fun (where’s Cody?).
59:00 It’s fun going into meetings having the power.
1:00:00 How do we engage membership? Let’s have a picnic.
1:03:00 BCNU not providing info to members re: arbitration. Process not complete. He’s not involved in the arbitration. Deb says as soon as she gets information, she will share.
1:06:00 ONA share submissions publicly. Jim thinks it’s a great idea for transparency purposes.
1:25:00 Offers of tens of thousands of dollars for retention (while nothing for terminated),
1:26:00 Rotation changes. Where are you getting the staff? We’re working on that.