President of BC Nurses’ Union resigns

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Christine Sorensen, who has led the BC Nurses’ Union since 2018, will be leaving her post immediately.

According to the union, Sorensen resigned Monday.

“The BC Nurses’ Union thanks Christine Sorensen for her years of dedication and service to the BCNU. Christine Sorensen has resigned as President of the BCNU for personal reasons and to pursue other opportunities,” a statement posted on the union’s website says.

The move comes as the BC Nurses’ Union has come under fire from some of its members — including the past president — for opposing B.C.’s vaccine mandate for health-care workers.

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Sorensen herself has not made any comments about the province’s recently-announced requirement for all workers in the sector to prove they are immunized.

Union vice-president, Aman Grewal has said the staffing crisis in B.C. during the fourth wave of COVID-19 is so dire, any move that could result in the loss of a “single nurse” can’t be supported.

Proof of vaccination will be required for workers, volunteers or contractors in acute and community care as of Oct. 26. A similar mandate for workers in long-term care and assisted living comes into effect on Oct. 12.