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With thousands of LPNs lined up to leave, HEU's strategy is to sound confident and talk about raises. But if LPNs don't leave HEU/BCGEU by November 30, HEU will then lower expectations and prepare members for rollbacks in March 2010 negotiations.
After November 30, it's too late for LPNs to leave HEU/BCGEU for a better future at BCNU.
BCGEU PRESIDENT SAYS EXPECT LITTLE IN BARGAINING
Last month BCGEU President Darryl Walker said he expects little for HEU/BCGEU members in March 2010 negotiations. In a letter to BCNU Walker said it's a "dry, parched landscape for bargaining across the board in BC."
HEU - LAYOFFS AND ROLLBACKS
HEU's Judy Darcy is trying to sound confident, but HEU doesn't have the strength to deliver gains. This is why:
- Healthcare restructuring will cause the outsourcing of potentially thousands of HEU jobs. HEU will be tempted to cut wages for all classifications to keep those jobs in their union. If that happens LPNs and skilled trades will take further pay cuts. LPNs remember HEU's 2004 pay cut of 15% and they don't want it repeated.
- HEU will try to bargain things that look like gains but are really more losses for LPNs and trades. That includes giving up a week of vacation to get a 2% raise, or "buying a raise" by increasing LPNs work week from 37.5 to 40 hours. HEU doesn't have the strength to bargain gains against a tough government.
BCNU - DELIVERING RAISES IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD
BCNU delivers raises. This year we signed a contract extension with annual raises and improved work conditions for RNs. Our LPNs at Calibre Health are the highest paid in British Columbia and our LPNs at Madison Care Center get 3% raises until 2011.
HEU's been dishonest with LPNs since they approached BCNU for membership. They've spread false information about bumping by RNs, losing your seniority, losing your pension and many other issues. The question LPNs need to consider is this: when HEU's been dishonest about so many things, why would you believe them when they say they'll "try" to get you a raise?
RETURN ALL BCNU MEMBERSHIP CARDS BY NOVEMBER 23
The way LPNs can avoid rollbacks is by signing BCNU membership cards. BCNU can leverage the RN/RPN shortage into better paying careers for all nurses. HEU and BCGEU can never offer this advantage.
If you haven’t already done so, please sign and return all BCNU membership cards by November 23. The better future LPNs hope for awaits you at BCNU. It's only one signature away.
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