Nurses from Trail and across the West Kootenays gathered in Trail on Friday to call for safer workplaces, better staffing and greater respect for the nursing profession as the B.C. Nurses’ Union’s legal job action continues.
The rally brought together local nurses, other health-care workers, labour organizations and community supporters. Organizers said the event was intended to highlight the challenges nurses face every day and encourage the public to support improvements to working conditions.
Tamara Roscoe, a registered nurse with Interior Health and BCNU lobby co-ordinator for the West Kootenays, said the rally was about giving local nurses a voice.
“We are hosting a rally for the nurses who are asking and calling on our employer, Interior Health, for respect and to feel valued.”
More than 40 people attended the rally, including members of other unions.
“It really does show a sense of solidarity, especially with other labour unions that have come out in support of our cause.”
She said she was encouraged by the turnout at what she described as the first nurses’ rally held in Trail and the West Kootenays.
“It shows that nurses are standing up for selves and we’re having a voice. I’m really proud of the turnout today.”
Roscoe said creating safer workplaces remains one of the union’s top priorities.
“One nurse every 16 hours reports a violent incident in their workplace and ultimately may go off of work because of it.”
She said violence is an ongoing concern for nurses and called on government and employers to take stronger action.
“We are faced with violence every single day in our workplace and it is time that we call on the government and our employer to take a stand against violence.”
Roscoe also thanked patients and community members for their support during the job action.
“I just want to say that we feel the love and the support from our patients and from the community and so I just wanted to give a shout out to all the community members who have supported us through this job action.”
Denise Waurynchuk, BCNU’s interim executive councillor for occupational health and safety and mental health, said nurses across the province continue to report intimidation and other concerns related to the legal job action.
She encouraged residents to ask nurses about conditions in local hospitals and other health-care settings to better understand the pressures they face.
“Nurses are out here wanting their voices heard, wanting to feel respected. They also want you to know that they are there for you. They are there and they want to be in the buildings providing the safest care that they can give to you during your time in the hospital, or the community, or wherever you are accessing health care.”
“They are there to support you, they are there to advocate for you and they are there to make sure that your health care is taken care of across the province.”
