HEU admits they’ve failed to raise LPN wages and improve practice conditions
HEU’s paper on LPNs’ March 2010 bargaining "Moving Our Profession Forward" is fascinating. It was HEU’s chance to inspire LPNs and convince them they’re in the right union. But the paper doesn’t outline any real strategy to get LPNs more money or improve practice conditions.
LPNs face an important decision: when times are tough, which union will best represent you – BCNU or HEU/BCGEU?
HEU’s bargaining strategy – more meetings & more talking
HEU’s strategy to make gains for LPNs is "organizing meetings to discuss the strategy . . . and talk about opportunities for moving [it] forward." More meetings and more talking will not move the BC government to give LPNs better salaries when it’s determined to cut labour costs.
One reason HEU might find it hard to bargain gains for LPNs is because they send a lot of LPN dues to political parties committed to defeating the government HEU needs to bargain with. BCNU advocates for members, patients and public healthcare no matter who is in power.
HEU admits they aren’t strong enough to get LPNs more money and better practice conditions
HEU finally admitted what many LPNs know – they aren’t strong enough to improve LPNs’ wages against a tough government. In their strategy paper HEU admitted:
- "LPNs are being asked to take on more and more responsibilities at the same time their wages are falling behind" (page 1).
- "[HEU has] also heard little from health employers about the importance of improving compensation to support LPNs as their responsibilities and skills continue to grow" (page 2).
HEU’s admission: HEU tried to get LPNs more money for their advanced roles, but wasn’t strong enough to deliver.
- "In 2009, the top rate [for LPNs in Alberta] was 28.44 an hour. In 2011 it will increase to $31.06 per hour" (page 3).
HEU’s admission: The annual salary for Alberta LPNs is $7000.00 more than HEU represented LPNs. By 2011 it will be $12,000.00 more. HEU wasn’t able to keep LPN salaries equivalent to Alberta.
HEU – Blaming BCNU for its failure to deliver gains
One of HEU’s excuses for not improving LPN opportunities is blaming BCNU. They claim BCNU opposes progress for LPNs at every opportunity and successfully frustrates HEU’s plans to create LPN opportunities (page 2). HEU’s suggestion of a BCNU plot is untrue. For example, our LPNs at Calibre Health are the highest paid in BC.
But HEU does acknowledge one important fact: BCNU has power – real bargaining power. Our members are getting raises when HEU/BCGEU members are facing more cuts and concessions.
LPNs’ important decision – who will you trust to bargain improvements for you?
LPNs face an important decision – it’s one they need to make before November 23. That’s the last day to sign and return BCNU membership cards. LPNs can stay at HEU/BCGEU and face cuts in March 2010 or they can join a powerful nurses’ union that delivers results.
Nearly 3,000 LPNs have requested BCNU membership. By doing so they’re saying they want a better future where results are proven. You can join them by requesting a BCNU membership card.
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