With a little more than a week left in the legal raid period, the BCNU is trying to create some badly needed momentum to bolster their second raid attempt, which has failed to gain province-wide support from LPN members.

Earlier today, the BCNU claimed to have signed up a majority of LPNs in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and they are expected to make similar claims over the next week for other health authorities.

In 2009, BCNU filed several raid applications, making the same claims about their support from LPNs.

After reviewing the evidence, however, the Labour Relations Board (LRB) determined the BCNU claims were false.

In fact, the LRB investigation discovered that BCNU did not sign up enough LPNs either province-wide, or in any of the five health authorities. The LRB dismissed every single one of their raid applications.

Based on their pattern in 2009, it is expected that BCNU will file multiple raid applications regardless of the number of valid signed memberships they have actually collected.

 Many LPNs who signed BCNU cards are revoking these cards for a number of reasons, including:

• They had been pressured to sign by supervisors.
• They had been told that signing a BCNU card was a condition of employment.
• They had wanted to stop a BCNU organizer from harassing them.
• They have sought out more information about the advantages of HEU membership

If you are aware of any LPNs who wish to revoke a BCNU membership card, please ask them to contact Maire Kirwan or Joanne Dicks at 1-800-663-5813 or 604-438-5000 for IUOE members contact Helen Cooper at 1 – 888-668-1606.

We are sending out a message we recived from HEU and the enormous pressure being put on their members (LPN’s).

IUOE is just now beginning to feel BCNU’s panic as they now have started this pressure at some of our sites. Please read carefully and contact the office if you need assistance in dealing with their aggresssion.

With two weeks to go, BCNU organizers are ramping up their aggressive raid tactics in the workplace, desperately pursuing LPNs at all times of the day and night.

HEU secretary-business manager and spokesperson for the FBA Bonnie Pearson says she commends HEU members for their patience, professionalism, and the support they are giving their LPN colleagues in the face of increasingly provocative behaviour by some BCNU organizers.

 ”From all our contact with LPN members, it’s clear to us – as it is to BCNU – that the vast majority of LPN members do not want to become divided from each other, or from their union,” says Pearson. 

 ”So it’s not surprising that in these final days LPNs are literally being hounded to sign a card, on shift and at their homes, by some BCNU organizers.” 

 At the same time, Pearson took issue with the BCNU leadership for its offensive rhetoric demeaning the work performed by other members of the health care team. 

 ”It’s been particularly shocking and disappointing that BCNU would resort to undermining the thousands of skilled, dedicated health care workers who make quality care possible in our hospitals and long-term care homes,” she says. 

 ”From the labs, through admitting, to the kitchens and our nursing units, it is respect and teamwork that makes or breaks our collective ability to deliver quality care.” 

  Pearson says at this point, in what has become a long, divisive and increasingly mean-spirited raid by BCNU, HEU members are strengthening relationships with one another and demonstrating “an incredible level of solidarity, right across the union, that will not only see us through these final days of BCNU’s raid, but will be a tremendous asset as we head into bargaining in 2012.” 

 HEU is taking steps to rein in BCNU’s aggressive behaviour. You can help. If BCNU’s activities are disrupting your worksite, or if you know someone who has been subjected to BCNU’s extreme pressure tactics, please contact Maire Kirwan at: 1-800-663-5813 and For IUOE members contact Helen Cooper at 1-888-668-1606.

Speaking at the legislative assembly yesterday, B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair outlined three key measures BC’s labour organization wants government to take in early 2012.

First and foremost, Sinclair called for immediate action to ensure that British Columbians benefit first from major public and private sector infrastructure and resource projects.

Sinclair is calling for a fix to BC’s broken apprenticeship system and the implementation of local hiring policies through project agreements.

“We’ve got young people left on the sidelines, unemployed or underemployed, because they can’t get the skills and training they need,” said Sinclair. “That’s no way to support rural communities, and it only stops if this government reinvests in training and apprenticeships and makes local hiring a priority.”

Sinclair also set out a plan to keep workers safe and to compensate them fairly when they do suffer catastrophic injuries on the job.

“In ten years, no real progress has been made in reducing injuries and deaths on the job,” said Sinclair. “And, workers who are injured catastrophically have had their benefits slashed. Our plan increases safety and provides fair and necessary support for injured workers.”

Sinclair said that BC’s lowest income and most vulnerable workers have suffered the most from unfair government policies over the past ten years. He said that scrapping the unfair server wage as well as including farmworkers in scheduled minimum wage increases are key to restoring some fairness.

Local 955 is expecting shortages for the following experienced and qualified operators. Currently our Pipeline Contractors have been awarded the following jobs for the upcoming Winter Construction Season, (November – March)

Michels Canada – 90km of 36′ pipe, Camp Job, North of FT. Mac.

Banister Pipelines – 80km of 36′ and 30′ combined, Camp Job, South of Ft. Mac.

O.J Pipelines – 60km of 30′ Town Job, FT. Mac.

Louisbourg Pipeline – 38km of 48′ Camp Job, Chinchauga area, West of Maning.

The Local will be accepting resumes showing previous relevant experience in the areas of: Please be specific.

Sideboom operators, Live Draw and Hydraulic

Track hoe operators for Ditch and Grade Crews.

Dozer opeartors for Grade and Clean up crews.

 Send all resumes to Pat Meloche at pmeloche@iuoe955union.com.