For Love or For Money - Professional Nurses Forging Forward

Last night I attended the BC Nurses Union update dinner. The members of the BCNU will have a ratification vote on October 18th, 2012 for the proposed contract. From what I understand it seems that the bargaining unit did a good job. The new contract had some gains, uses very clearly worded language that is easy to understand and implement, we will be returning to a 37.5 hour work week and there will be 2125 new full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs added provincially. Some people at the dinner seemed happy with this and some people at the dinner seemed frustrated by the lack of gains. However, I think that we have to understand that ultimately, it is not the failure of the bargaining team that is the result of seemingly wishful gains like a cost of living wage increase, more money for education and safer staffing province wide, it is the public and the tax payers collectively that decide what we are worth.

I think that many people complain when taxes go up, when they have to pay sales tax on their store purchases or when they get their paycheque and see the amount of tax that has been taken off. Unfortunately, I think that there is not often a clear connection made between their hard-earned money being savagely 'taken' from them and what it is being used to pay for. Our taxes pay for health care, education, law enforcement, public transportation, roads, public parks, street signs, public recreation facilities, public libraries etc. etc. The money that we collectively choose to pool to pay for these things helps us become better as a community, as a society. 

I think that it is wrong to think that public services like health care and education are just money thrown down the drain that you have to keep paying even though you may never use it. For example, a good public education system ensures that children are taught the skills to later participate in the workforce, to have opportunity go to university if they so choose, and develop new technologies and innovation to make the world a better place. 

We have to contemplate what a good healthcare system means. A good healthcare system ensures that people are able to maintain their health in order to be able to participate in school and in the workforce. If you do not believe me then go to a country where there is no tax money being spent on these things, where these services are either private or someone is pocketing the money and not spending it appropriately and tell me what you see. 

 
So, are we, meaning those in social service roles like nurses, not communicating clearly or loudly enough about what the true impact of our role in Canada is? Are we too silent about our value? Are public perception of nurses accurate? And, do they embrace nurses as educated healthcare leaders and decision-makers. If we are not doing a great job communicating all that we are to the general public, how do we fix this so that everyone understands that union bargaining is not about greed, it's about doing the best possible job in the safest way for appropriate compensation. Think about the role of a teacher, a nurse, a social worker of a police officer and what they contribute to society the next time you're willing to pay $200 for concert tickets for an 'artist' that glorifies irresponsible behaviour and objectifies women or the next time you sit down and watch a 'reality' television show that perpetuates social and racial stereotypes.

Peace,

Michelle D.