Special mediators appointed to address B.C. nurses' contract dispute

Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside stated Friday that Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers have been named special mediators to assist in resolving the nurses' contract dispute. The mediators will work with both sides for 10 days and may issue recommendations to the minister if no settlement is reached.

Premier David Eby said the government and the union share the goal of ensuring nurses are respected and able to return to full duties. He noted that nurses are the glue that hold an incredibly strained system together and deserve recognition.

Background on the dispute Nurses announced Thursday they would expand picket lines to additional care centres across the province. Many of the 60,000 unionized nurses remain covered by essential-service agreements, while others have been picketing at sites in Surrey and Vancouver.

The union had already implemented targeted job action last week, including a ban on non-nursing duties and non-essential overtime. The employer had previously agreed to resume negotiations. Eby said the dispute has highlighted issues such as working conditions and safety.

He added that steps already taken, including nurse-to-patient ratios and increased security, have not resolved all concerns.