The Union of Psychiatric Nurses (UPN) is a health care union representing approximately 1000 Registered Psychiatric Nurses across the province of British Columbia, Canada. UPN members work in tertiary-care psychiatric hospitals, Forensic Psychiatric Hospitals and clinics, community mental heath centers, corrections facilities, adolescent assessment and treatment facilities, alcohol and drug treatment programs and long term care facilities.
In the Health Sector UPN psychiatric nurses are part of the Nurses' Bargaining Association, along with the BC Nurses' Union (representing registered nurses) and the Health Sciences Association. Nurses are covered by a master collective agreement negotiated with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).
In the Public Sector (government facilities) UPN nurses are part of a Nurses Bargaining Association in partnership with the British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU). Nurses are covered by a master collective agreement negotiated with the Public Service Employee Relations Commission (PSERC).UPN was formed in 1965 for the sole purpose of representing RPNs and continues to do so. In addition to negotiating collective agreements and providing labour relations representation for our members, UPN is active in other arenas including, labour issues, occupational health and safety and the promotion of Psychiatric Nursing as a career path.
UPN believes membership education will play a major role in the future of Psychiatric Nursing and, to facilitate this goal, UPN's Education Committee offers a number of educational opportunities to our members. These opportunities are available in-house, through labour affiliations such as the CLC and the BC Federation of Labour, and educational facilities including Capilano College, Simon Fraser University, the Harrison Winter School and the Canadian Labour College.
UPN is affiliated to the BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU), BC Federation of Labour, National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).