The Student Association of Practical Nurses, which represents those in the practical nursing program at the Centre for Nursing Studies, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of joining the Canadian Federation of Students.
During a referendum held last week, 98 per cent of students voted in favour of the move.
Up until now, those students were not unionized or represented by the Federation.
A ratification vote will be held in November, which will officially create Local 117. That means students will have access to the health and dental plans provided by the Federation’s National Student Health Network.
The Federation calls the vote “historic,” noting that all public post-secondary students in the province are now under their umbrella.
Aside from membership benefits, the Federation says their new union will join their advocacy efforts, including holding the provincial government’s election promise of offering paid work placements to all students.
Chairperson Nick Keough says up until a year ago, they weren’t even aware that the nursing students hadn’t been covered under the union.
Once they were made aware, he says they jumped into action right away on the process to get them included.
“The process was collecting a petition with at least 15 per cent of signatures of any students in the program and they well surpassed that,” Keough says.
Listen to “Nicolas Keough, Canadian Federation of Students NL” on Spreaker.
