Cheers, car horns and cowbells filled the air outside Kelowna General Hospital the afternoon of July 20.
Nurses and supporters rallied at 2 p.m. at the corner of Pandosy Street and Rose Avenue holding up signs, waving to cars, and cheering with every honk to prove that they aren’t backing down.
“I think it’s important to know that no nurse wants to be out here,” said BCNU President Adriane Gear. “Nurses didn’t sign up because they wanted to be on rallies or have picket lines. They want to be in [the hospital] providing care for their patients.”
The BCNU started job action on July 2. Nurses are demanding respect in the workplace, action to end workplace violence, a stop to intimidation, among other things.
Gear added that a plan needs to be made to recruit and retain nurses to combat severe staff shortages.
“The government… their own outlook, they’ve identified that we need to hire 30,000 to 35,000 nurses within the next ten years,” Gear commented. “What is the plan?”
The @BCNursesUnion rallied outside #Kelowna General Hospital on July 20, the 19th day of job action, as nurses demand respect and a safe workplace @KelownaCapNews @BlackPressMedia pic.twitter.com/y2MDTI5lxy
— Brittany Webster (@thebrittwebster) July 21, 2026
Despite the increase of challenges Gear has watched nurses face throughout her 33 years in nursing, the president said she remains optimistic.
“Mediation is a volunteer process,” Gear explained. “We’ve entered it in good faith.”
Mediators adjourned the meeting on Thursday, July 16, until Tuesday, July 21.
“I remain hopeful or I wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning.”
Read more about the union and the ongoing job action at BCNU.org.