The PEINU represents more than 1,200 Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners working in acute care, long term care, community care, mental health and addictions. Since 1974 we have negotiated, administrated and improved the Collective Agreement for the benefit of our workplaces and Prince Edward Island’s health care. The PEINU is about “Nurses taking care of Nurses”.
The Prince Edward Island Nurses’ Union is a strong, credible and respected voice for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and quality health care in our province. We are a member of the Canadian Federation of Nurses’ Unions (CFNU), and thereby affiliated with the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC).
- The PEINU office is supported by three full-time staff, our Executive Director, Office Assistant and Communications Officer.
- Full time elected President.
- The provincial Executive is comprised of a Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
- There are 8 “locals” across the Island, each represented by a Local President at the provincial board table.
- PEINU bargains for improved working conditions as requested by the members.
- PEINU addresses labour relations issues both proactively and as they come up on a day to day basis. Any time a member is taken to task by the employer, the Union is there to ensure she or he is treated fairly and has a voice through any discipline process.
- Any member that is disabled or who becomes disabled such that they cannot perform all or any of the duties of their nursing position can use the collective agreement and the Union for support.
- PEINU provides educational opportunities for members (Education Fund).
- Supports members in times of need (i.e. a fire).
- Supports local charitable organizations.
- Participates in joint committees (i.e. PSGIP, Pension, Professional Practice).
- Maintains a working relationship with the College of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island (formerly named ARNPEI) and other relevant healthcare organizations.
- Communicates important news to the members.
- PEINU provides positive public relations for nurses and health care issues. We lobby government and the employer and are a constant voice in government and the Minister’s ear on nursing issues.
PEI Nurses’ Union Strategic Plan
The strategic directions and goals are based on our core values. PEINU considers these directions to be vitally important to all PEINU members’ well-being, to the quality of their work lives, and to a sustainable, quality health care system.
PEINU are staying the course with the three, core strategic directions with modifications to reflect the current climate. The core directions are:
- Unite and engage RNs as advocates for healthy and safe work
- Actively support RNs who are affected by the current challenges of workload, skill mix, role visibility, violence, and lobby the government for change.
- Build greater awareness amongst the membership, the government and the public of the distinct value of RNs.
PEINU National Voice: PEINU is a member of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU).
- CFNU is very active in promoting social welfare issues such as a national pharmacare program, saving medicare, and working towards a national health human Resource strategy.
- CFNU’s core purpose is to be a pro-active, unifying national voice for quality health care and the socio-economic welfare of nurses and others.
- CFNU represents 155,000 nurses. The national President is Linda Silas (former NBNU president/member).
- CFNU is a member of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), which represents 3 million members nationwide.